On September 29, 2024, several pro-Palestinian demonstrators vandalized and smashed windows at Concordia University. They also threw Molotov cocktails at police; no officers were injured.

Around 9:00 pm, a group of demonstrators gathered on the university campus to protest against Israeli military action in Gaza. As the group marched through the road, they spray painted graffiti on university buildings and smashed windows with blunt force objects, such as hammers and bats. The graffiti included slogans condemning Israeli military action in Gaza, such as “Free Gaza” and “C = Complicit.”

When police tried to disperse the crowd, several individuals threw at least two molotov cocktails at police officers. No officer was injured. The police arrested four individuals, according to the police spokesperson; however, it is not clear if they were students or outside community members. The arrested individuals were released without charges pending results of an investigation.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of violence and the destruction of campus property and infrastructure in the course of a protest. Such acts erode the right to education, and diminish everyone’s access to a safe, free and open university space. State and de facto authorities should take all reasonable measures to prevent and respond to such incidents, including ensuring campus security and conducting prompt and thorough investigations, as appropriate.

Sources:
https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/four-arrested-after-protesters-attacked-concordia-threw-molotov-cocktails-at-police
https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/concordia-vandalized-after-demonstration