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
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Stars roar back to win Game 3 over Oilers
Jason Robertson's hat-trick goal midway through the third period broke a deadlock and proved to be the eventual winner as the Dallas Stars beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final to take a 2-1 series lead.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.