Canada’s oldest human rights organization has been granted intervenor status in Vancouver Island University’s legal fight against an ongoing encampment.
B’nai Brith Canada, which focuses on cases of antisemitism, says it aims to help the court balance the human rights of people affected by the pro-Palestine encampment with the rights of the protesters.
The encampment has been in place at VIU in Nanaimo since May 1. B’nai Brith says slogans and symbols associated with designated terrorist groups have been found at the site, along with posters calling for violence.
“The encampment at VIU is the last one remaining in B.C. and must be dispersed,” said Aron Csaplaros, British Columbia Regional Manager for B’nai Brith Canada. “Such hateful displays are an existential attack on campus communities.”
VIU filed its lawsuit against the protesters after they ignored a trespass notice on July 11.
Other intervenors in the court case are:
- The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
- The British Columbia Federation of Students
- Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights
- The Centre for Free Expression
- Independent Jewish Voices Canada
- The Jewish Faculty Network, with the United Jewish People’s Order
- The National Council of Canadian Muslims, with the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association
