Pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel protests planned by students in Montreal

People take part in a Pro-Palestine rally in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Groups representing more than 80,000 students from 62 post-secondary schools in Montreal have signed a petition to walk out of class on Monday and Tuesday in support of the pro-Palestinian movement.

“In terms of scale, we’re talking about one of the biggest student strikes since the start of the pandemic,” said Benoit Allard with the Divest for Palestine Collective (D4P).

According to the Association des étudiantes et étudiants de la Faculté des sciences de l’éducation de l’UQAM (ADEESE), the numerous college and university associations have voted to “adopt strike mandates.”

• READ MORE: Quebec judge rejects McGill University request to limit pro-Palestinian protests on campus

Students who planned to take part include the following schools:

• CEGEP Marie Victorin
• CEGEP Saint Laurent
• Concordia University
• Dawson College
• Laval University
• Maisonneuve College
• McGill University
• Université de Montréal
• Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

“The number and diversity of students participating in the strike movement shows the clear and determined support of the youth for the rights of the Palestinian people and their liberation,” said Fanny Harnois with the group. ”We can no longer stand without taking action.”

• READ MORE: ‘I can’t lose any more of my family’: Palestinian Montrealers demand Canada fast-track visas for family stuck in Gaza

The ADEESE points out that the student movement is in response to a call by the Disinvest in Palestine (D4P) collective and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles (CLAC).

“We will be out in force on our campuses and in the streets on Oct. 6 and 7 to make our collective refusal to be complicit in genocide visible and to remind people of the legitimacy of resistance, in all its forms, in Palestine and here,” said Harnois.

The ADEESE points out that numerous events, activities and workshops are planned on the different campuses between Oct. 6 and 12, as well as a rally on Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. at Square-Victoria.

While no pro-Palestinian demonstrations were planned on Monday at Concordia University, there was a police presence around campus.

The university later confirmed that a small group of protestors disrupted some classes.

“While students can express their views and protest peacefully, blocking classrooms, entrances, exits and circulation areas is prohibited and violence will not be tolerated,” the university said in a statement.

• READ MORE: ‘It’s truly unbearable,’ say Montrealers supporting families in Gaza

At McGill University, a pro-Israel gathering was held on Monday. The organizers called it a counter-protest.

“Two years ago, there was a terrible assault on the citizens of the State of Israel,” said Rabbi Reuben Poupko, who attended the gathering. “Two years later, and the battle continues. But we must remember the victims of that day.”

With files from CTV News’ Jack Richardson.