TORONTO: An Ontario judge has granted an injunction in favor of the University of Toronto, ordering the removal of a pro-Palestinian encampment from the university’s downtown campus. The ruling, issued by Ontario Superior Court of Justice Markus Koehnen, requires protesters to dismantle their tents in King’s College Circle by 6:00 PM on Wednesday. Additionally, the injunction prohibits the demonstrators from returning to the site.
The court order empowers Toronto police to arrest and remove anyone who fails to comply. This encampment is part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations occurring at colleges and universities across Canada and the United States.
Protesters are still permitted to demonstrate throughout the campus, provided they do not set up camps, erect structures, or block entrances to university property. The ruling also restricts protests on campus to the hours between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
The encampment, established by a group of pro-Palestinian supporters, has been occupying a section of the university’s St. George campus. The University of Toronto sought legal action for its removal due to concerns over safety, disruption to academic activities, and potential damage to property. In a statement, the university expressed confidence that protesters would comply with the court’s decision and vacate the premises on time.
The university’s statement added, “Anyone who chooses to remain in the encampment after that deadline will be subject to consequences under university policy and the law.” The university has also requested assistance from the Toronto Police Service should the encampment not be cleared by the specified time.
Toronto police, in a statement shared on social media, affirmed their commitment to enforcing the court’s order while expressing hope that protesters would leave voluntarily. “The 6:00 PM deadline applies to the protesters. While we won’t disclose operational details, the court order states that police action is at our discretion. We are finalizing those details now,” the statement read.
The university initially sought the injunction urgently as the encampment was near Convocation Hall, where graduation ceremonies were scheduled throughout June. Although the court heard the application over two days last month after most ceremonies had concluded without major disruptions, the university proceeded with the legal action to ensure campus safety and order.
The ruling has faced criticism from activists and encampment members, who view it as an infringement on their rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. UofT Occupy for Palestine, the organizers of the encampment, condemned the decision in a post on social media, arguing that it grants the university an “immoral license to unleash police violence” on students.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the protesters’ response and the potential involvement of law enforcement in enforcing the court’s decision.