McGill University restricting access to campus in preparation for Oct. 7 protests
It's been a year of protest, counter protest, and intense debate on university campuses and McGill is bracing for the possibility of more.
Citing multiple demonstrations planned to mark the Oct. 7 anniversary since the Hamas attack on Israel that led to war in Gaza, the university says it has hired extra security and has asked professors to hold classes online, if possible.
"Every other day there's some kind of tension going on. There's a hostile situation being created. So, yeah, not not the best feeling," one student on campus told CTV News.
In a statement, McGill said it has not received any threat to physical safety, though it is "limiting access to the campus during this week to prioritize the stable continuation of critical academic activities at a time of elevated potential for disruption."
On Monday, Jewish groups will hold a vigil outside McGill campus from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Around the same time, pro-Palestinian groups say they plan to march from Concordia University to McGill's Roddick Gates to demand universities divest from companies tied to the israeli military.
"I think our demand to the university is very clear. I think, by closing the campus, McGill is insisting on deploying its private mercenaries like they have done to students throughout the summer, and that the university itself is creating a campus of fear," said Said Hanan Zakari, a member of Students for Palestine’s Honour and Resistance (SPHR) McGill.
"On Oct. 7, we'll see demonstrations all over the world and not just in North America. It symbolizes a very important day for a colonized people everywhere."
Jewish groups are also condemning McGill's decision to close its campus.
"I would judge that as absolute cowardice, absolute cowardice," said Henry Topas, Quebec Regional Director of B'nai B'rith Canada, in an interview Wednesday.
"McGill and Concordia and the City of Montreal, starting with Valerie Plante, should be out there saying we will not stand glorifying hate, antisemitism and the atrocities which were committed a year ago."
Plante and the Montreal police service both declined interview requests on Thursday but said they will speak to the media Friday in preparation for the anniversary of Oct. 7th.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live election results: Trump elected 47th U.S. president
Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, clearing the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.
Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters
Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.
PM Trudeau congratulates Donald Trump on presidential victory
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Donald Trump early Wednesday morning on his second United States presidential election win.
Trump's second term will look nothing like his first
Donald Trump's election victory will return him to the White House, but both his allies and detractors have made clear his second time around will look nothing like the first.
Republicans take U.S. Senate majority and eye unified power with Trump
Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate and are fighting to keep their majority in the U.S. House, which would produce a full sweep of GOP power in Congress alongside U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the White House.
Hurricane Rafael becomes a Category 2 storm as it barrels toward Cuba
Hurricane Rafael strengthened into a Category 2 storm on Wednesday just hours before it was forecast to make landfall on Wednesday in western Cuba.
'I'm still in shock': Brampton, Ont. landlord caught in e-transfer interception fraud
A Brampton, Ont. landlord says he's shocked after two e-transfers he was meant to receive were blocked from his account by scammers.
B.C. parents sue Irish nanny for quitting on short notice
Two parents filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court last week seeking damages from their former nanny, alleging she quit on short notice and "never said goodbye to the children."
Blues forward leaves rink on stretcher after being struck in neck by puck
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway left Tuesday night's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning and departed the rink on a stretcher after being struck by a puck late in the first period.