Palestinian

Pro-Palestinians blockade McGill official’s NDG home

By Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

Several dozen Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blockaded the home of McGill Associate Provost for Equity Angela Campbell in NDG Sunday. They set up a tent with posters and Palestinian flags and shouted intimidating screeds through bullhorns in the quiet residential area. They included some aimed directly at Campbell telling her that she “can’t hide” and accusing her of being complicit in the what they describe as a genocide.

The police closed off streets around Monkland but according to neighbours speaking on condition of anonymity said they would not intervene as long as it remained a “peaceful” protest. SPVM spokesperson Cst.Caroline Chevrefils confirmed the details of the events to The Suburban.The demonstration broke up after three hours.

Regarding the incident at Campbell’s home, McGill stated, “McGill condemns this absolutely unacceptable behaviour. Targeting people and their families at their residence crosses the line from peaceful protest to intimidation and harassment.”

McGill still has not yet signed a trespass complaint with the police against the encampment but will be back in court seeking a permanent injunction to remove the encampment on the grounds that McGill is the owner of the property the encampment is occupying. Its temporary injunction request was denied last week because of what the court said was a failure to demonstrate “urgency.”

McGill’s new injunction demand would have the protesters barred from “camping or occupying in any manner whatsoever” as well as from protesting in any way that is in violation of university policy on its downtown campus. The order would also authorize bailiffs tasked with serving the judgment to “call upon any peace officer to assist them.” n

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Man arrested for destroying Israel Rally posters in CSL

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

A 23-year-old man was arrested by the SPVM as a suspect in the April 27 vandalism of posters advertising the 11 a.m. May 14 Israel rally that will take place at Place du Canada.

The individual, suspected of mischief, was released pending further investigation. The vandalism took place about 4 p.m. at Quartier Cavendish in Côte St. Luc, SPVM spokesman Jean-Pierre Brabant told The Suburban. A 911 call was received at that time.

“A man was damaging some posters and some were taken off where they were [posted],” he added. “From there, we had information of a potential suspect fleeing the scene, so officers were able to intercept him. He is considered a suspect. He was released, but is still under investigation. We need to get some surveillance video from some stores that are in the parking lot. We need some proof of image, and from there, there could be a criminal charge of mischief towards that man.”

Asked if the suspect was wearing a keffiyah, a common sight at anti-Israel protests and viewed as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, Brabant said the police report does not mention that.

“We met with some witnesses and we had a good description of the person, and it helped the police officer to intercept him when he was getting away from the scene,” he added. “We’ll see if a charge can be brought against him.”

Brabant declined to provide The Suburban with the description of the individual provided to police at this point, saying the case could go to trial. n

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