uOttawa representatives to meet with protest organizers as encampments enter its second week

Organizers of the pro-Palestinian encampment wrote that the group will meet with uOttawa’s secretary general and chief investment officer.

Published May 14, 2024 • Last updated 12 minutes ago • 1 minute read

There are now about 70 tents set up in front of uOttawa’s Tabaret Hall. The encampment is one of many similar protests occurring on university campuses across the country. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia

Amid ongoing protests denouncing the University of Ottawa’s ties with Israel, the university agreed to meet with pro-Palestinian encampment organizers on Wednesday.

In an Instagram post, organizers of the pro-Palestinian encampment Integrity Not Spite Against Falastin (INSAF) wrote that the group will meet with secretary general Annick Bergeron and chief investment officer Francois Dionne.

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“As we have continuously reiterated, our focus will remain on the genocide of Gaza and we expect that the university responds to our demands for divestment promptly,” read the post.

There are now about 70 tents set up in front of Tabaret Hall. The encampment is one of many similar protests occurring on university campuses across the country, all condemning Israel’s offensive in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

As the encampment enters its second week, uOttawa spokesperson Jess Robichaud said university representatives had a preliminary meeting Monday with a group of protest organizers to “listen and establish parameters around future discussions.”

“The University administration has been communicating with protest organizers since it began, and we continue to convey our expectations to them to ensure a peaceful and lawful protest,” Robichaud wrote this newspaper in an email statement. “Our priority remains upholding the rights of students, professors, and staff to be safe and respected.”

Robichaud said the university will continue to act in accordance with its policies and regulations to ensure “the safety and well-being of all members of our community and allow them to move around freely on our campuses.

“Incitement to violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, damage or occupation of buildings will carry consequences.”

Police presence on uOttawa campus has not increased since last weekend, said the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service in a statement.

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