The pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Guelph said it will remove the encampment by Monday.
Yesterday evening the UoGforPalestine posted the details of dismantling the encampment on its Instagram page.
The encampment occupied Branion Plaza, dubbed the People’s Plaza for Palestine, for roughly six weeks.
As a result the U of G has announced it is pausing it's legal action it announced it was taking on the weekend to get the encampment removed.
Members of the People’s Plaza for Palestine will be leaving on their own timeline. The U of G previously gave them until July 7 at 8 p.m. to leave. The encampment wasn’t dismantled and the following day members were given a notice of trespass.
The decision to leave was made after the group hosted a press conference on Monday where speakers expressed their displeasure of the notice and gave their support for the encampment.
“This timeline will allow us to leave safely, with respect for the land where we are gathered, and without damaging or wasting the encampment materials. These will be donated to those suffering from the housing crisis in Guelph, another crisis which this university contributes to and profits from alongside the genocide in Gaza,” said in the post.
The post highlighted the group’s success in having the university disclose its investments.
“We served as a community hub, deepening our revolutionary trust in each other and honing our organizing skills,” it read.
The group raised $4,000 and will be donating it to Yahya & Friends Mutual Aid. The mutual aid fund has said it has sent $215,000 to people in Gaza.
Resources from the encampment will be given to unhoused people in Guelph.
Before the encampment is vacated on Monday the People’s Plaza for Palestine encourages students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members to drop by to help pack, talk about the future and participate in a place of solidarity and inclusivity.
“Our struggle will not end with this encampment,” the post said.