MONTREAL — Police have cleared protesters from a pro-Palestinian encampment that was set up last month in the heart of Montreal’s financial district.
Municipal workers were on site at Victoria Square Friday morning, using tools to cut down metal shielding around the protesters’ tents and tearing down tarps. A police officer said the operation, requested by the city, began after 4 a.m. under a heavy police presence that included riot squad officers.
The approximately 15 protesters at the encampment on Friday were moved to the periphery of the square and some were escorted back to the site by police to retrieve belongings. Protesters carried their belongings in crates and on bicycles, as city workers in orange vests loaded trucks with materials collected from the encampment.
The encampment was erected on June 22 near the headquarters of the provincial pension fund manager — Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec — and protesters had demanded the fund manager immediately divest from companies they identify as complicit with Israel.
Pro-Palestinian protester Emma Jaubert, 20, said about 30 police officers showed up around 5 a.m. at the entrance of the encampment.
“I was at the door. I was the first person that saw them come here,” Jaubert said. “They showed up at the door and were like, ‘You’re on public space. I have orders from (the city) to dismantle you guys.’”
“When the cops came in they threw one of our comrades on the ground and hit them .… They also destroyed several of our tents.”
City spokesperson Simon Charron said the operation to dismantle the encampment was a joint decision between the city and Montreal police after an analysis of the camp over the past few days.
Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante issued a statement, saying the right to protest is a fundamental Charter right, “but this right cannot hinder the right to security and free movement in public spaces.” She is scheduled to speak with reporters later in the day.
Earlier this week, red paint was splashed at the entrance of the offices of the Caisse de dépôt, and a statue inside the nearby World Trade Centre Montréal mall was vandalized. In June, shortly after protesters set up the camp, they tried unsuccessfully to take down the statue of Queen Victoria, located on the square named after the late monarch.
Friday’s police action did not target the pro-Palestinian encampment that has been on the McGill University campus since April.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2024.
Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press
Read More: Police clear pro-Palestinian encampment in Montreal financial district