On July 22, protestors held a silent sit-in in front of Koerner Library to call on UBC to meet their demands.
People’s University UBC, the organizers behind the sit-in and the two-month long Palestinian solidarity encampment, wrote in an Instagram post “though the student encampment no longer physically remains, our commitment to the cause of Palestinian liberation remains steadfast.”
Protestors sat outside Koerner Library, which also saw a protest and building occupation from People's University UBC on May 15, with signs reading “UBC must divest” and “let Palestine live.”
In a statement to The Ubyssey, People's University UBC wrote “We will remain outside, ensuring we do not impede access to any building or facilities.”
Protesters distributed flyers to passersby with their demands, which call on UBC to divest from companies complicit in Palestinian human rights abuses, boycott Israeli universities and institutions and publicly condemn what organizers and human rights experts call a genocide in Gaza.
According to a report issued by a United Nations-appointed independent expert, there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
On July 23, People's University UBC released an Instagram post, where it alleged RCMP and Campus Security were present at the sit-in.
In a statement to The Ubyssey, acting senior director of UBC Media Relations Matthew Ramsey wrote, "Campus Security was present during the demonstration ... some doors to Koerner were temporarily locked to secure the building."
University RCMP did not respond to The Ubyssey's request for comment by press time.
“UBC values freedom of expression and respects peaceful protest," and that these actions must occur "within the boundaries of university policy and the law," wrote Ramsey.
People’s University UBC also wrote the UN’s International Court of Justice’s ruling — that Israel’s continued presence in occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and should end — “imposes a compelling obligation to divest from companies implicated.”
“We are still here, organizing together, and we will not stop until our goals are achieved.”
This article was updated on July 29, 6:00 p.m. to add a statement from Campus Security.
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