May, 14 2024: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith approves of the University of Calgary‘s decision to involve police in dismantling an on-campus pro-Palestinian protest and hopes the University will follow a similar approach.
The situation escalated due to counter-protesters in Calgary, while the protest grew significantly at the University of Alberta. Speaking in Calgary, Smith emphasized that while peaceful protests are acceptable, they must adhere to rules and not disrupt students’ education.
She noted that her government is ready to assist but will leave the decision-making to the universities.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said, “I’m glad that the University of Calgary made the decision that they did.”
“I think what they found in Calgary is that a large number who were trespassing were not students, and we have to be mindful of that. Kids are having graduation ceremonies. A lot of these kids didn’t get a graduation ceremony for high school. It’s not fair for them or their families to be disrupted”, said Smith.
Danielle Smith Alberta Premier added, “I’ll watch and see what the University of Alberta learns from what they observed in Calgary.”
She further added:
“I support the right of the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary to ensure a safe environment for all of their students,” Smith told the house Monday during question period.
“There is a way to protest peacefully, and you have to comply with the law.
“We have watched as protests have gotten out of control at UCLA, at Columbia (University in New York), where the universities were trashed and vandalized, and Jewish students were made to feel unwelcome and fearful.
“These are the kinds of things that they have to make sure that they are on guard for, so that it doesn’t get out of control.”
Agreeing with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s stance, Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis stated that law enforcement and universities operate independently while the government supports peaceful protests.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley has called for an investigation, arguing that the police response to remove protesters and tents was excessive compared to the actual threat.
The universities have stated they support free speech but had to act because the protest camps were breaking trespassing laws, which could lead to violence.
Protest leaders at the University of Alberta claimed that the only violence came from the police, who were seen in social media videos moving toward protesters and using batons.
University of Alberta President Bill Flanagan mentioned that protesters had gathered wooden pallets, which are a fire risk and can be used to build barricades.
The protest organizers explained that the pallets were meant to keep tents dry in case of rain and had been removed well before the police intervened.
In Calgary, the protest camp was removed late Thursday. Videos and news reports showed the use of flashbangs and clashes between police and some protesters who remained.
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