Court weighs U of T bid to clear protest

Judge asks whether encampment could share space with convocation ceremonies

- BEN COHEN STAFF REPORTER

The University of Toronto class of 2024 might have tents in the background of some of their graduation photos.

Taking the courtroom by surprise, a judge asked Tuesday during an injunction hearing between U of T and pro-Palestinian protesters whether the school's convocation could proceed while the protest encampment continues at King's College Circle.

A lawyer for U of T, which is seeking an urgent court order to have the encampment dismantled and any resisting protesters arrested, said she was "absolutely" open to the idea.

Monique Jilesen, a lawyer for the university, said the structure of the encampment would need to change to allow this. The green space outside Convocation Hall has been rendered inaccessible to non-protesters, she said, because the fence surrounding the encampment allows protesters to tightly control who is allowed on the grass.

Lawyers for the protesters pointed out there were portions of the green space outside the bounds of the fence. Further, access to Convocation Hall is unobstructed by the encampment, which sits about 100 metres away.

The fence was set up last month by U of T to prevent an encampment from forming. Instead, students, who broke a portion of the fence down under cover of darkness nearly four weeks ago, have turned it into castle walls protecting their camp.

"The university wishes to take the fence down," said Jilesen.

"It would take the fence down today, if everyone here agrees or (the judge) made the order. The university would be delighted to take the fence down." One of the lawyers for the protesters, Mae J. Nam, argued the fence served an important role in preventing "agitators" from "mixing" with protesters.