Student pro-Palestinian protestors frustrated over lawsuit from UW

The University of Waterloo and pro-Palestinian student protesters have entered into mediation.

A press conference held today at 11 a.m. by Occupy UWaterloo organizers made it clear they aren’t going anywhere and still plan to push back.

One of the organizers, Nick Joseph, called the university’s legal action “appalling” and “unacceptable.”

Another, Sarah Ahmed, said the students will not be deterred by the $1.5 million lawsuit the university gave them with a Notice of Trespass on June 21.

 “I’m a member of this encampment who has been sued by UW, my own university, for peacefully protesting its complicity in the mass death and destruction of thousands of Palestinians,” said the organizer. “This lawsuit is a thinly veiled attempt by UW at bullying us into silence at saying how dare you, the students, stand for something. Their attempts to suppress us have been an embarrassing failure on their part.”

The court document published on UW’s website states that the university is seeking “damages in the amount of $1.5 million including damages for trespass, damage to property, intimidation and ejectment.”

UW confirmed to CityNews 570 early this week it had started the legal process against the encampment.

“We will not be deterred we will not wave because our courage comes from the brave people in Palestine who have to deal with the constant threat of bombs over their heads,” Ahmed said.

She said they are being surveilled 24/7 by the university, which has set up numerous cameras around the encampment since it launched.

The organizer added that UW failed to protect them during their protest and said its action put them in danger at times.

“With the power of the community and the collective solidarity of the students, we have kept ourselves safe, while the university has used its resources to sue us instead.”

In a statement to CityNews 570 today UW said the following:

“As part of our ongoing commitment to continue productive and respectful dialogue we are pleased that we have agreed to start confidential discussions with members of the encampment facilitated by a mediator.

The University will only provide further updates that are “agreed upon between both parties.”