Campus crackdown
Police clash with encampment protesters at University of Alberta on Saturday
Edmonton police dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Alberta’s campus on Saturday, prompting outrage from students and academics who described the operation as violent and contested allegations that demonstrators were breaking the law.
Organizers said police fired tear gas and pepper-spray balls and wielded batons against students at the university’s north campus quad shortly after arriving at 4:30 a.m., resulting in one hospitalization and several attendees placed in zip-tie handcuffs. Videos posted to social media show a line of police members clashing with protesters in the dawn light, as young people shout “Free, free Palestine” before officers advance chanting “Move” and shoving and striking some students with billy clubs.
The footage aligns with descriptions from political science professor David Kahane, a member of the Edmonton chapter of Independent Jewish Voices Canada who was onsite with the demonstrators and called the experience “violent” and “gutting.”
“I personally saw quite a heavily bleeding surface wound that came from a baton strike. I personally saw — this was after the police engagement was over — bruises from non-lethal projectiles that people were showing on their legs and arms,” Kahane said in a phone interview.
“It was not peaceful.”
The scene portrayed by participants stood in stark contrast to the picture painted by authorities.
Police said no tear gas was deployed, no one was hospitalized and use of force was limited.
“Our response was specifically directed at three individuals who were being aggressive with EPS members, one of whom assaulted an officer,” said spokesman Scott Pattison in an email.
University president Bill Flanagan echoed police in saying “almost all of the occupants of the encampment peacefully dispersed.”
In a statement Saturday, he cited fire hazards and the risk of escalation and violent clashes with counter-protesters among the reasons for the police action at the two-dayold camp.
“Of great concern, some members of the group brought in wood pallets, materials known to be used as barricade-making materials — actions that are counter to peaceful, law-abiding protests,” he said.
“Overnight protests are often accompanied by serious violence and larger crowds amplify those inherent risks — especially as they attract counter-protesters or outside agitators.” Flanagan said “approved, peaceful protests are welcome” but must comply with university policies and public safety rules. “Every University of Alberta student, faculty and staff member has the right to feel secure and welcomed ... on our campuses.”
About one quarter of the 50 protesters were University of Alberta students, he said.