A student rally in support of Palestine resulted in tense interactions between protestors and Concordia University security on Sept. 12. The rally was organized in conjunction between chapters of Students for Palestine’s Honour and Resistance (SPHR) at McGill and Concordia—formerly known as Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights—and Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) Montreal. It began in front of the Arts Building at McGill and proceeded to various buildings at Concordia where it was met by tens of security officers.

At 1 p.m., nearly 100 protestors met and engaged in call-and-response chants to condemn Israel’s siege on Gaza and McGill’s response to student mobilization in recent months. Some slogans explicitly called out McGill President Deep Saini with protestors chanting, “Deep Saini, pick a side: justice or genocide.”

In a speech made to attendees, Alex*, a representative of SPHR at McGill, said the rally was a response to a call to action from National Students for Justice in Palestine which included picketing classes on campus. 

“We are here to remind Saini, [McGill Deputy Provost Fabrice] Labeau, and [McGill Interim Deputy Provost Angela] Campbell that there will be no business or classes as usual during a genocide,” Alex told the crowd. “The student movement has emerged out of this summer, stronger, more united, and more resilient. So to our administration, we tell you, remember, the power is with us […] and until we achieve full liberation and victory, long live the student intifada.”

Around 1:40 p.m., the group began making their way to Concordia’s Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex. There, tensions between protestors and Concordia University security guards bubbled as protestors continued chanting against the blockaded doors. 

After about 15 minutes, as the group moved to the Henry F. Hall Building, a group of security guards ran past to intercept them. Protestors began to run to get ahead of the security officers. Inside the building, chants of “cops off campus” echoed through the lobby as protestors tried to get past the security officer who blocked the escalators. Some protestors climbed over the escalator railing, forcing the guard to give in and ushering a wave of protestors to the second floor.

Protestors remained in the building for about 10 minutes, before going back outside to unveil a large banner which read “Dear McGill, you repress the students. This is how we respond: long live the student intifada.” Around 2:45 p.m., organizers dispersed the rally.

In a statement to The Tribune, Independent Jewish Voices McGill (IJV) condemned the continuous on-site police presence at pro-Palestine protests.

“Last Thursday, members of Concordia security called the police immediately on discovery of a picket that was disrupting class, and worked in tandem with the SPVM upon their arrival,” IJV wrote. “This continues a pattern of collaboration and militarization on our campuses that deeply endangers the student body. Universities like McGill and Concordia have claimed to care about creating ‘safe’ spaces for students, while simultaneously inviting police brutality onto campus.”

After McGill ordered the dismantling of the Palestine Solidarity Encampment in July, Saini wrote that the Board of Governors (BoG) Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility (CSSR) would “explore the question of divestment from direct investments in companies that derive a dominant portion of their direct revenues from the production of military weapons, regardless of the countries in which they operate.” To this end, McGill Secretary-General Edyta Rogowska sent an email on Sept. 11 with a webform for students and staff to offer their opinions on the question of divestment. The CSSR is expected to present their findings to the BoG in December 2024.

“McGill is moving forward on a range of measures that reflect our community’s challenges over the last year,” McGill’s Media Relations Office wrote to The Tribune. “All submissions will be read and carefully considered by the Board of Governors’ Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility and treated in the strictest confidence.” 

For some organizers on campus, this step is too little, too late.

“The email that was sent out […] is redundant after a year of students making their demands heard clearly,” Alex said in an interview with The Tribune. “Our demand for divestment is simple and achievable through already established processes. McGill could divest tomorrow if they chose to.”

*Alex’s name has been changed to preserve their anonymity.