Two years following the removal of a pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Calgary, nine individuals who were ousted have filed a lawsuit against the university, the Calgary Police Service, and the City of Calgary. The legal action claims that in May 2024, Calgary police employed “unwarranted and excessive force” to disband a group of peaceful demonstrators at the behest of U of C authorities.
The protest group had established a camp near MacEwan Hall with the aim of urging the U of C to reveal and sever its financial connections with Israel. Within a day, the U of C issued trespass notices to the protesters, and law enforcement dismantled the encampment using shields and batons. The lawsuit alleges that the police were aware that protesters were in the process of disassembling and leaving when they intervened.
Chris Wiebe, the legal representative for the plaintiffs, stated in an interview with CBC News, “It was completely unnecessary, completely excessive, and just an offensive disregard for their constitutional rights.” The lawsuit emphasizes that none of the accusations have been validated in court.
The plaintiffs consist of U of C students and alumni, a SAIT instructor, a psychologist, and an addictions counselor, who were present to back the student demonstrators. The legal action asserts that protesters were physically assaulted, choked, and hit with shields and batons, with officers deploying pepper balls, resulting in concussions, emotional trauma, and other injuries.
According to Wiebe, the U of C issued trespass notices without considering the protesters’ Charter rights to peaceful assembly and association, without any dialogue or serious evaluation of potential safety or obstruction risks. The lawsuit also alleges that police continued surveillance on some plaintiffs post-encampment dispersal.
The plaintiffs are seeking over $331,000 in damages, in addition to legal expenses and declarations affirming the violation of their constitutional rights. The protest was part of a series of demonstrations at university campuses across North America, mirroring events at the University of Toronto and McGill University.
In response to the lawsuit, the U of C stated that it will examine any claim received through the courts and respond accordingly. The Calgary Police Service and the City of Calgary declined to comment due to the ongoing litigation. In November 2024, Calgary police reported that the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team concluded investigations without confirming serious injuries during the encampment’s removal.
A third-party review by consulting firm MNP in 2024 commended the University of Calgary’s handling of the incident, stating that involving the Calgary Police Service was a deliberate and agreed-upon decision.