Pro-Palestinian students who set up an encampment three weeks ago at McMaster University were packing their belongings on Saturday after the school announced that an agreement had been reached with the protestors.
Protestors were seen packing their belongings and taking down signs, with some students having mixed feelings.
Protesters voted, and the final result was that the majority of both Palestinian and general campers voted to end the encampment and agreed to the university’s demands.
Organizers at the camp say McMaster accepted their offer, securing commitments aligned with their principles of human rights and social justice.
“Our job here is not finished, there is still so much work to do. To make sure that the demands the university agreed upon are upheld and to make sure that our full demands are met eventually,” said one protestor.
READ MORE: Faculty members show solidarity with protesters at McMaster University
McMaster made the announcement Friday night that the encampment is ending.
In a statement posted on the McMaster website, officials say “This has been a very difficult time for many people on our campus. We recognize the profound grief that so many are experiencing.”
The school’s update page posted details of the resolutions, which include the following: developing a human rights framework for international agreements, disclosing a report of all direct investments annually, allocating up to $200,000 for Palestinian academics and students under the scholars-at-risk and students-at-risk programs, and publishing a series of stories about McMaster students affected by conflicts.
“I’m unsatisfied with it. However, they’ve promised the offer of disclosure for all their investments which is a victory for this encampment and this movement,” said one student.
The university has not met the full demands of the students which focus on calling schools to divest from any Israeli organizations with ties to the war in the Middle East.
This comes as the U of T has issued a trespass notice to the pro-Palestinian encampment on their campus, giving protesters until Monday morning to leave.
READ MORE: Pro-Palestine protesters not happy with statement from McMaster