A day after it was erected, Toronto police have dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment set up at York University.
In a statement issued Thursday, protesters said that at 8 a.m., police “violently” cleared the encampment.
“Last night, York U Administration sent the community an email claiming that they wanted to establish dialogue with the encampment,” the statemend reads. “This morning, before giving campers an opportunity to have said dialogue, they called police and raided our encampment and forcefully escorted campers to the subway station.”
The university, meanwhile, said in its own statement Thursday that on Wednesday morning, a group of people “unknown to the university” set up tents in the Harry W. Arthurs Common at the school’s Keele campus “despite efforts by York security indicating that they were not allowed to do so.”
“Those who set up the encampment have now received a trespass notice due to their unauthorized use of campus grounds,” the statement read.
When York promises an “open and respectful dialogue” with students, this is what they mean. York authorized TPS to clear our camp at 8 AM this morning. Stay tuned for next steps to support. <a href=”https://t.co/IwRF37i2mt”>pic.twitter.com/IwRF37i2mt</a>
—@PYU4P
The university also said people involved in the encampment “left peacefully,” and school employees are clearing the site.
“Toronto Police Service presence was requested by the University to ensure the safety of all concerned,” the school said.
“York supports the rights of our community members to advocate for the views they hold and will continue to actively seek to engage in respectful dialogue about challenging topics.”
Toronto police said in a statement that the university served a trespass notice to protesters Thursday.
“York University reached out yesterday to request police assistance after making it clear that encampments on their property are not permitted,” the statement reads.
Police say that officers acted Thursday morning at the university’s request, and under the Trespass to Property Act.
About 40 protesters left the encampment Thursday, while one person returned and was arrested, according to police..
“It is noteworthy that the Toronto Police asserted that they will not be raiding the Occupy UofT encampment but did not hesitate to attack the York encampment almost immediately after setup,” York’s protesters said in their statement, referring to the ongoing encampment at the University of Toronto.
The Instagram account YorkProfs4Encampment issued a statement about the encampment Thursday, saying the police action came on the heels of a letter from administration promising dialogue with protesters.
“We are appalled at this flagrant oppression by York University administration. We are horrified that they would show complete disregard for their students,” the statement reads.