Pro-Palestinian encampment protester says UWindsor meeting wasn't in good faith

A week after an encampment protest in support of Palestinians was set up at the University of Windsor campus, the group has met with university officials about their demands.

But protesters say they are disappointed with the outcome.

Jana Jandal Alrifai , co-organizer of the encampment, said they wanted to see senior administration in attendance. University president Robert Gordon was not part of the meeting.

"This meeting was not, we believe, in good faith," said Jandal Alrifai, who called the meeting a "PR stunt."

She said there was no indication from the university on whether their demands would be met. They left after restating their demands.

The group has six demands it wants the university to meet: disclose investments that benefit Israel, divest of those investments, declare a stance in the war, defend and support students and boycott academic institutions with ties to Israel. 

"We will not rest until they divest," said Jandal Alrifai.

The pro-Palestinian encampment first started as a protest on May 9, among many in Canada and the U.S. that have sprung up related to the months-long Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. A day later, more than 20 students set up about 15 tents on the southwestern Ontario university's grounds and have been sleeping on the lawn across from Dillon Hall to get the attention of school administration. 

The University of Windsor says the attendees at the meeting included two associate vice-presidents and the university secretary, and the aim was to "[gather] insights to inform future discussions with university leadership. "

"The university is committed to upholding freedom of expression and peaceful assembly while fostering an inclusive, safe, and respectful learning environment," a university spokesperson said in a statement. "Ensuring student safety and well-being, along with minimizing disruptions to teaching and learning, remain our top priorities."

Jandal Alrifai said the group wants to work with the university and have more meetings, but indicated the protest may escalate if they don't get to meet with senior leaders at the university.