Quebec premier asks police to dismantle camp at McGill University

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has called on the police to dismantle the pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the lower field of McGill University's downtown campus in Montreal.

His comments follow calls by McGill earlier this week for police to remove the dozens of tents that have been pitched on the field since Saturday in protest of the war in Gaza.

Legault told reporters in Quebec City today that he expects police to heed the university's call and dismantle the encampment.

Meanwhile, Montreal police spokesman Jean-Pierre Brabant said today the force is "still evaluating" the situation at McGill.

He says that so far the encampment has been peaceful and that it's not in the interests of the police or the city to immediately intervene.

At the protest site today, pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters held duelling demonstrations on either side of the fence at the main entrance to McGill, with dozens of police officers forming a line to ensure the two sides stayed apart.

-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 2, 2024.