People protesting the University of Alberta’s potential financial ties to Israel, amid the conflict in the Middle East, were removed from their encampment early Saturday morning.
More than 100 students, staff and allies set up camp at the university in Edmonton on Thursday. Protesters gathered in support of Gaza and demanded that the U of A disclose its investments and cut any ties to Israel.
The Edmonton Police Service arrived at the north campus quad early Saturday morning, after the university had warned protestors several times that they were violating university policy and trespassing, according to a statement police issued Saturday morning.
The final warning was issued shortly after 4:30 a.m. MT Saturday, police said. Officers arrived later, warned the remaining protesters to leave, then cleared those who remained off campus.
University president Bill Flanagan issued a statement Saturday, saying most protesters left after a third trespass notice was issued.
Communication with the protesters were unsuccessful and “escalating actions put the university community’s safety at risk,” Flanagan said, so the university had to call on police to enforce the order.
The encampment at the U of A was one of several that have popped up across the country. An encampment at the University of Calgary was also cleared by police this week.
More to come