Pro-Palestinian protesters block entrance to McGill Bronfman building
Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the entrances of McGill University's Bronfman building Thursday morning, calling on McGill's Desautels Faculty of Management to divest from interests in Israel.
"McGill, McGill take a stand, don't support stolen land," student picketers chanted.
The protest garnered national attention -- and outrage, in the case of Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
"The demonstration at, and so-called 'blockade' of a McGill management building named after a prominent Jewish philanthropist is a despicable act and needs to end," he wrote on X.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather said the protest crossed a line and called out his alma mater for allowing it.
"I have expressed my anger to the administration. This must end," he wrote, also in a post to X.
Henry Topas, director for B'nai Brith's Quebec branch, said the organization received many complaints Thursday morning from parents and McGill students who don't feel safe on campus.
"They have targetted a building that is clearly identified with one of the most prominent Jewish families in Canada. The Bronfmans, who have done tremendous things for not only the Jewish community, but all Canadians," he told CTV News.
Though there was heavy police presence, Topas said he was told they could not intervene without McGill's permission.
"I don't believe it's only targetted against an Israeli program. I believe it's targetted against the Jewish community," said Topas.
The group that organized the protest, Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) McGill, wrote in a comment that:
"The Desaultels Faculty of Management hosts an exchange program with Israel including the Start-up Ecosystem trip to the Hebrew University—a university that works closely with the Zionist military, developing their weapons and strategies of terrorism to be used against Palestinians. The student body has clearly articulated that they demand divestment and boycott, and that there will be no business or classes as usual during an ongoing genocide which has killed over 30,000 palestinians."
Currently, both McGill and Concordia University are facing lawsuits alleging failures to combat antisemitism on campus.
In a statement to CTV News, McGill wrote:
"McGill Security Services arrived minutes after the protest began, and police arrived shortly thereafter. Building access was restored via the north entrance shortly after noon. To our knowledge, no one was prevented from exiting the building at any time. Due to the disruption, several classes were held online. Activities in the building will resume as usual on Friday, February 23."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.