Protests calling for a cease-fire in Gaza disrupted an event at UBC on Friday with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.
The event was held at the Liu Institute for Global Issues by UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. It was billed as a short speech by Joly on “Canadian diplomacy amid political uncertainty” followed by a Q&A.
A video from inside the event shows a woman speaking to Joly during the event asking her to call for a ceasefire, with other individuals speaking up in support. It’s unclear from the video how Joly responded. An organizer then asks to continue the event.
According to a statement from UBC Media Relations, “UBC is aware of the disruption of the event involving Minister Joly. When the disruption took place, the event was paused and the protesters were asked to leave.”
Around 30 protesters continued to chant throughout the event from the outside, signs against the windows chanting ‘Free Palestine.’
Clay, a protester who asked to only be identified by their first name, said the protest was part of a broader movement pushing for Canada to call for a ceasefire.
“We saw this as an opportunity to call to attention just how important and vital a ceasefire is at the current moment,” they said.
UBC has encouraged “respectful and compassionate” conduct on campus regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, most recently in a statement by President Benoit-Antoine Bacon.
Following Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack, Israel has launched an air and ground offensive into Gaza, while severely limiting food and water entry into the dense civilian area.
Gaza officials have reported over 11,000 fatalities, while the UN reports 70 per cent of Gazans have been internally displaced. An estimated 240 hostages remain in Gaza.
Clay said protests like this “prevent business as usual from continuing until the bombing stops.”
The federal NDP, Burnaby city council and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow are among those in Canada calling for a ceasefire.
Joly has said she agreed on the need to “work toward a ceasefire,” but subsequently walked back the comment and has called for “humanitarian pauses” to allow aid into Gaza, and foreign nationals out.
As Joly left the Friday event, surrounded by RCMP officers and campus security, protesters shouted ‘Shame!’