During the week of Nov. 18, several McGill student associations held General Assemblies (GAs) to vote on a motion to strike in solidarity with Palestine following a national call for action from Students for Justice in Palestine. Thhe McGill Students’ Geography Society (MUGS), Philosophy Students’ Association (PSA), and Anthropology Students’ Association (ASA) successfully passed the motion and picketed classes on Nov. 21 and 22.

In order to vote on the motion, each GA had to meet its quorum requirements. Tris*, a student organizer involved in the picketing explained to The Tribune that for some associations, meeting quorum was more challenging than for others. 

“The strike votes were conducted democratically through general assemblies, reflecting the collective voice of students rather than decisions made solely by committee executives,” Tris said. “Quorum requirements varied by department: For example, Anthropology required only a majority vote, while MUGS, MESS [McGill Environment Students’ Society], and [PSA] required 25 per cent, 50 per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively.”

Student associations that could not meet their quorum were unable to formally participate in the strike, although some student association executives still urged general members to strike regardless of the outcome.

In an email to The Tribune, the McGill Media Relations Office (MRO) explained its rationale for not cancelling classes during the strike.

“Though we respect the right of students to express their views, we saw no basis to cancel classes [on Nov. 21 and 22]. In fact, the vast majority of students attended class that day,” the MRO wrote to The Tribune. “McGill will always support the right to free expression and peaceful assembly within the boundaries set by policies and legislation. However, the University’s primary responsibility is to deliver on its academic mission.”

Throughout the week, organizers held teach-ins and visited various GAs to talk to general members about students’ right to strike. 

“Students worldwide heeded the call, and it took Quebec’s colleges and universities by force,” Tris commented. “At McGill, the focus was on making the strike approachable for students unfamiliar with such actions, aiming to create manageable, targeted efforts.”

*Tris’s name was changed to preserve their identity.