A tent is seen in the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Toronto, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The Toronto Police Service says it will enforce a court order granted yesterday that says demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at the University of Toronto must dismantle the site by 6 p.m. today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
TORONTO – Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Toronto say they’ll abide by a court order requiring them to dismantle their encampment and leave the site by 6 p.m.
In a news conference this afternoon, organizers said they are leaving voluntarily to avoid police action.
Demonstrators have been taking down tents and tarps throughout the day, with none left by late afternoon.
An Ontario judge issued an order Tuesday for the protesters to take down the encampment that was set up at King’s College Circle two months ago and at one point included as many as 177 tents.
The injunction authorized police to step in if demonstrators don’t leave the site by 6 p.m. Police have said they would enforce the order but would not disclose any operational plans.
A large crowd gathered near the site this afternoon for a rally in support of the protesters as the deadline approached.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 3, 2024.
