Protesters who are camped out at the University of Victoria over the war in Gaza say they are not the ones passing out flyers advertising free food and tents.
Social media posts on Friday (May 3) showed flyers stating that there’s free “camping” and other items at the UVic quad where the demonstrators have been set up for days. Social media users claimed the flyers were being handed out in downtown Victoria.
The UVic protesters, like many others at similar anti-war campus protests spanning North America, are calling on their school to divest from companies with connections to weapons makers that are supplying Israeli forces.
The UVic group said it was not the one distributing the flyers, which it called misleading.
“We are not able to provide housing,” the protesters said in an Instagram post. “We are here to affirm our demands and still welcome all students and community members who wish to stand with us in solidarity, regardless of housing status.”
Friday marked the third day of the demonstrators posting up in the grassy quad outside McPherson Library. The group said it plans to stay until it’s divestment demands are met.
UVic on Thursday said participants of the encampment “appear to include UVic students and members of the broader community.” In a Friday statement, the school said it has reached out to open a dialogue with the protesters.
“Divestment has been an ongoing discussion at our university and including student voices remains a priority,” the statement said.
Oak Bay and Saanich fire officials walked through the encampment on Friday to provide instruction on how to remove any potential health and safety risks, and to ensure pathways are clear.
Those in the encampment have been peaceful and complied with the safety check, UVic said.
The school’s statement advised that the public may see security and police on the campus as the situation continues, adding those officials are working to keep the UVic community and protesters safe.
“We are committed to working with members of the UVic community participating in the encampment and are hopeful that we can engage in a productive dialogue and reach a peaceful resolution,” UVic said.
After Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, Israel’s responding offensive in Gaza has killed more than 34,500 Palestinians.
READ: Pro-Palestine encampment sets up on University of Victoria campus