‘Free Palestine’: Windows smashed as graffiti covers McGill University

Vandals smashed windows and covered McGill University in graffiti.

The words “Free Palestine” are scrawled across the pillars of McGill University’s Roddick Gates Thursday morning, as Montreal police (SPVM) investigates a case of vandalism at the school.

The force says it received a 911 call at 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, and in addition to the graffiti, three buildings were targeted, and “a lot” of windows were smashed.

“When officers arrived, they had already left,” said Jean-Pierre Brabant, a spokesperson with Montreal police. “According to information that we have, that group did it quickly.”

Following the incident, McGill University said it was disappointed and frustrated by the vandalism, reiterating that, as an institution, it has no plans to make changes to its investments or comment on the political situation in the Middle East.

“It’s about creating this environment where teachers and students can feel safe in in doing the work that they have to do, whether it’s learn or teach,” said Philippe Gervais, McGill University’s vice president of communications.

He tells CTV News that 350 students were taking an exam in the Leacock Building at the time of the incident.

“Some of the students panicked. Others were taken off their game,” he said. “This is a serious disruption to our mission. So, what it really comes down to is this is unacceptable, and we really want to see our mayor or chief of police really step up and help us secure our campus.”

Gervais adds it’s still too early to determine the scope of the damages but estimates it to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“There are north of 30 windows, some of them smaller, some of them bigger, that have been broken,” he said. “We’ll have to evaluate the damages. We’ll have to have people come in and tell us how much fixing this window and that window will cost.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante reacted to the news on X, calling it “completely unacceptable.”

“The right to demonstrate in no way justifies the destruction of property,” she wrote. “Montreal is a city where expression must be respectful of the law and of others. We must defend our common values: freedom of expression, safety and respect.”

An investigation is underway, and police say they plan to look at surveillance footage in the area to identify the perpetrators.