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University of Waterloo encampment to end in exchange for school withdrawing $1.5-million lawsuit
The university launched the lawsuit against encampment protesters seeking compensation for damage to its property and reputation amid ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations on its campus
Student protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Waterloo will be “voluntary decamping” Sunday evening in exchange for the university withdrawing its $1.5-million lawsuit and injunction proceeding, the university said in a statement Saturday.
The statement, sent out to all university employees, said that the members of the encampment informed the school that they would decamp by 8 p.m. on Sunday and would not return to form an encampment at the university.
Once the encampment is vacated, the university said it will withdraw its claim and injunction proceeding.
In a social media post, the protesters claimed victory saying that “community pressure” forced the university to drop the “unjust lawsuit against students.”
“Our community has shown us time and time again that united, we are able to win and we will continue to fight together, until total and complete liberation!”
Nick Joseph, a media representative for the protesters said that while they have agreed to not form an encampment on campus, they hope to continue talks with the university, adding that “the advocacy for Palestinian liberation doesn’t end.”