Students staying put on uOttawa's campus as pro-Palestinian encampment continues
It's another day of staying sleeping in a tent on the University of Ottawa's campus for Ayham Hakimi.
"We have to be here. I believe it's our obligation from all of us," he said.
The uOttawa student has been camping out for days in front of Tabaret Hall as part of what organizers are calling a peaceful student-led protest. It's his way of showing support for his friends and loved ones directly affected by the ongoing war in Gaza.
A demonstration that began Monday turned into an encampment on Tuesday evening, after organizers say they were not being heard by the university's administration. On Saturday, there were at least 60 tents set up on the lawn.
"I lived in Palestine for five years, so I lived in Jerusalem. Everything has changed," he said.
"That's what they all tell me. They feel like life is just not the same at all. And so it's quite difficult for them to even just process what's going on there."
Similar protests are taking place throughout Canada and the United States. Groups of students are demanding universities end their investment in companies and organizations with ties to Israel.
"Putting pressure on our institutions will put pressure on our government," said INSAF (Integrity Not Spite Against Falastin) president Sumayya Kheireddine, one of the groups organizing the encampment.
"We are ready to be here until we get what we want. Our demands are clear and we are here to stay until they are met."
Organizers say the majority camping out are uOttawa students, but Saturday saw more people joining their cause. Local Palestinian coalitions led a march from the Canadian human rights monument to the encampment.
MPP Sarah Jama also spoke at the rally.
"I’m here to remind you to hold your ground and I will hold my ground with you," said the Ontario legislator who was recently banned from returning to chamber for one day after refusing to remove her keffiyah at Queen’s Park.
While safety has been a concern for some Ottawa residents, those passing nearby say they're okay with the demonstration.
"I'm from Kanata," said one passerby. "I came in today just to drop off some supplies."
"I don't think there's anything wrong with it as long as it's not disrupting," said a uOttawa student.
"We still have Tabaret Hall here that we can walk through."
CTV Ottawa reached out to the uOttawa Jewish Association, the Chabad Student Network and the University of Ottawa for a statement, but did not receive a response.
Earlier this week, the university says they are committed to protecting freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate peacefully. They say their priority is on the safety and wellbeing of all members of the community.
"We're willing to stay as long as it takes until the university responds to our demands," said Hakimi.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.