Student encampments have taken place at numerous universities over the years, for various reasons. But do they work?
The People’s Park encampment began occupying the unceded lək̓ʷəŋən territory known as the quad at the University of Victoria on May 1in solidarity with Palestine. They have five demands, including UVic pulling out of investments in companies profiting from war, like Lockheed Martin (a weapons company known for selling arms to the Israeli government). The People’s Park is also demanding the university call for an immediate ceasefire, and to condemn the Israeli government’s slaughter of Palestinian citizens.
Not long after Ukraine was attacked by Russia, UVic president Kevin Hall released a statement “condemn[ing] the unjust attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty” and expressed, “without hesitation,” his support for the people of Ukraine and “their right to live peacefully in their country.” However, he has yet to do the same for Palestine.
Despite the Park’s continued efforts to negotiate in good faith, the university is reluctant to reciprocate. Hall has refused to meet with People’s Park, and instead sent faculty who were most likely unequipped to effectively discuss steps toward divestment in his place.
In addition, the university installed a new surveillance camera above the library during the first week of the encampment. It was eventually removed, and Hall released statements claiming that there was no camera; UVic vice president of finance and operations Kristi Simpson later said that UVic was testing some camera locations but they were never turned on. Hall also released a statement in which he claimed that protesters were riding bikes in the library, which protestors have denied. It’s difficult to believe that Hall and the university are truthful in their claims to desire engagement in good-faith negotiations.
More recently, the university abruptly announced that it was no longer willing to negotiate, and not long after served the encampment with a trespass notice on Saturday, July 20. The notice stated that the quad must be vacated by 8 am on Monday, July 22; the camp was mainly vacated by then, with the last people leaving the encampment by around 1:30 pm that day, according to news reports.
If the university refuses to engage in negotiations, is the encampment a failure? Perhaps, if having their demands met is the only goal of the encampment. In the case of People’s Park, however, much has been accomplished, regardless of the embarrassing behaviour of the UVic administration.
The Park successfully occupied the quad for almost three months. In that time, they maintained a prayer space and hosted twelve Shabbats. They started a library and filled it with a dazzling variety of literature, including Emma Goldman’s essays, Audre Lorde’s poetry, and the Dune series. They created an abundance of art, painting signs, pallets, and tarps. They hosted picnics and shared food. They tended to an olive tree, which is sacred to Palestinians and a symbol of peace. They assembled a community that ensured all its members were fed, clothed, and had a place to sleep.
I would consider that a success.