A pro-Palestinian encampment that had been set up at Vancouver Island University (VIU) has been dismantled by authorities.
The encampment, which was located on the university’s Nanaimo campus, was organized by a group called VIU Students for Justice in Palestine. The group had set up tents and banners in support of the Palestinian cause, and had been occupying the space for over a month.
According to VIU officials, the encampment was in violation of the university’s policies and procedures, as well as the City of Nanaimo’s bylaws. The university had issued a notice to the group to vacate the area by July 5, but the group had refused to comply.
On July 7, VIU security, along with Nanaimo RCMP, arrived at the encampment to dismantle it. The group’s tents and banners were removed, and the area was cleared.
In a statement, VIU President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Deborah Saucier, said that while the university supports freedom of expression and peaceful protest, the encampment was not in line with the university’s policies and procedures.
The group, however, maintains that their protest was peaceful and that they were exercising their right to free speech. They also claim that the university’s decision to dismantle the encampment was a violation of their rights.
This is not the first time that VIU Students for Justice in Palestine has organized a pro-Palestinian protest on campus. In 2019, the group set up a similar encampment, which was also dismantled by the university.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been ongoing for decades, and has sparked numerous protests and demonstrations around the world. The recent violence in the region has reignited tensions and sparked renewed calls for action and support for the Palestinian cause.
As of now, the VIU Students for Justice in Palestine have not announced any plans for further protests or demonstrations. The university has stated that they will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action if necessary.
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