Pro-Palestinian protesters demand Concordia and McGill universities adopt BDS motion

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to pressure Concordia University's Board of Governors to respect a BDS mandate adopted by the student union. (Swidda Rassy/CTV)

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Concordia’s Guy-De Maisonneuve building Thursday to pressure the university’s Board of Governors to respect a boycott mandate adopted by the student union.

They then marched down Sherbrooke Street to McGill University — also holding a Board of Governors meeting — waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs saying “Concordia 4 Palestine” and “Board of Genociders.”

They then threw red paint on the doors of the university’s administration building before dispersing at the McGill Metro station around 5:30 pm.

Heavy police presence followed the protesters. Montreal police said three McGill buildings were damaged and there were instances of vandalism, but no one was arrested. Police are investigating the mischief.

On Jan. 29, the Concordia Student Union (CSU) held a special general meeting with students voting in favour of two Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) motion.

“We want boycott, divest now” the protesters chanted under heavy snowfall. “Palestine is almost free, Palestine will live forever.”

The first motion, which CTV News consulted, demanded the university publicly disclose all its investments; divest from companies they say are “complicit in genocide” or “benefit from militarized violence”; defend student activists in support of Palestinian liberation and declare support with the Palestinian people and an arms embargo on Israel.

It specifically asks the university to divest from Bombardier, Lockheed Martin, CAE, Pratt & Witney, and Airbus, and suspend all academic exchanges with Israel like the Summer in Israel program.

A second motion said since the Board of Governors is the body with the power to act on these demands, the CSU would bring the first motion to the board at its Feb. 6 meeting.

Following the special general meeting, Concordia President Graham Carr published a statement saying Concordia does not support such boycott campaigns as BDS as they “are contrary to the value of academic freedom upon which all universities are founded.”

He also said the university has no input on the CSU’s decision making and accused attendees of “discriminatory behaviour” and of using “intimidation tactics.”

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Protesters shouted “shame!” and said the board was “ignoring” students and instead posting statements condemning them.

They say the BDS motion would be “forcing Israel to comply with international law.”

Once at McGill, the protesters shouted “divest now!” Boycotting and divestment were core demands of those at the pro-Palestinian encampment on the university’s campus last spring.

On Wednesday night, windows at McGill University were smashed and the words “Free Palestine” were scrawled across the pillars of Roddick Gates.