University of Toronto convocations to begin as campus protest continues

The University of Toronto says it's hopeful that graduation ceremonies set to begin today will proceed without disruption as a pro-Palestinian encampment remains on campus despite looming legal action.

The university says more than 30 ceremonies scheduled to take place through June 21 mark important milestones and it hopes everyone will allow its graduating students to have their moment.

The university sought to clear the encampment before convocation began through an urgent court injunction, but the presiding judge said the earliest a hearing could be held is June 19 to give protesters a fair opportunity to respond.

The delay means most of the graduates and their family members attending ceremonies at the downtown campus will likely pass by the fenced-in camp, and the university has expressed concern about potential disruptions.

But protesters have said they don't see how their presence would disrupt graduation events, and that they're resolved to stay until the university meets demands around divestment of companies profiting from Israel's offensive in Gaza.

A number of high-profile Jewish organizations seeking intervener status at the court proceedings related to the injunction voiced their opposition to the protest at a news conference near campus on Monday morning.

"We would have hoped that Jewish students would be able to participate in convocation free from having an encampment that intrudes on their sense of joy and their sense of celebration – as all members of the University of Toronto community should be able to do," said Rabbi Seth Goren, chief executive officer of Hillel Ontario.

The University of Toronto has said that it's taking extra precautions over the next three weeks to ensure the safety of graduates and their guests.

"The 34 ceremonies that begin today for more than 13,000 graduating students are a time for celebration and hope," the university said in a statement Monday morning.

"We also recognize that this is a challenging time for many in our community and we acknowledge the pain and suffering felt by those impacted by the conflict in the Middle East. With that in mind, we hope everyone will allow our graduating students to have their moment without disruption or interruption."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2024.