‘Show our support’: Pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Manitoba inspired by other campus encampments

A pro-Palestinian, student-led encampment on the grounds of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg entered its second day Wednesday.

Tents and pro-Palestinian signs began going up Tuesday, mirroring similar protests on Canadian and U.S. campuses.

“We were inspired by the other students across the globe, and of course we wanted to engage in any way that we could possibly show our support for the cause,” U of M student Victoria Romero, a representative for the students, told CityNews.

Dozens of students, faculty and other supporters are calling on the University of Manitoba to divest from any companies advancing Israel’s military efforts in Gaza. They also want the university to suspend exchange programs with Israeli academic institutions and to issue a public statement endorsing Palestinian rights.

University officials and protesters say the demonstration has so far been peaceful and respectful.

“It’s a beautiful way of peaceful protest that has been used for generations,” said Dario Lorenzoni, another representative for the students. “Since, for example, Vietnam. It’s a way to take back the voice in our university that should be for the students.

“We don’t feel heard or listened to by the university, so we take this space, both physically and symbolically, to reclaim that attention, that voice.”

While the three-day planned protest will officially end Friday, organizers intend to leave room for people wishing to stay, calling it their choice to do so on public land.

Organizers say education has been a big part of the protest. On Wednesday, people gathered to learn from experts about subjects like colonialism and history.

“I feel it is an obligation for me as a person who fights for human rights and wants to achieve that goal so badly, to be here advocating alongside my fellow students,” said Hussein Chokr.

Chokr is familiar with protests. He has spent the last eight months alongside other Palestinians protesting in Winnipeg and has now joined the encampment as a leader to ensure people know how to demonstrate peacefully.

“It’s freedom for all,” he said. “We said never again for anyone, never again is now and we have to stand up to whatever we say.”

Lorenzoni and Romero say they want more from their university. They also want to establish a universal message of peace that goes beyond the current conflict.

“The fight for the freedom of the Palestinian people is the same fight as the fight against anti-Semitism,” said Lorenzoni. “Against any kind of racism and for the liberation of people all around the world.”

The organizers prided themselves in their ability to provide food, drinks and first aid to demonstrators.

“This is our food and first-aid kind of area, all our supplies here,” Romero said. “We’ve had incredible support from the community in terms of donations of different things.”