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BԪַEnhanced securityBԪַ expected at Kelowna UBCO graduation amidst protests

Both the UBCO graduation organizers and the PeopleBԪַs University for Gaza UBCO have made statements ahead of the June 6 and 7, convocation
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Those at the UBCO encampment have requested to maintain anonymity for fear of repercussions from the public and law enforcement. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital BԪַ)

UBC Okanagan graduation organizers and a Pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus are both preparing for a weekend of convocations.

On June 4, the PeopleBԪַs University for Gaza UBCO posted a guideline for graduating students who wish to protest at the convocation ceremony, which will be held on June 6 and 7.

The guideline called BԪַ, encourages students to BԪַ among other things BԪַ bring a Palestinian flag on stage and refuse to shake the hand of UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon, or principal and deputy vice-chancellor Lesley Cormack.

The group has also invited graduating students, their families and friends to stop by the encampment to celebrate and BԪַRemember the students in Palestine.BԪַ

In past years, the graduation ceremony was held in the courtyard but this year the ceremony has been moved to the gymnasium.

The encampment, comprised of students, members of the community and approximately 20 tents has been stationed on the UBCO campus courtyard for the past three and a half weeks.

In conjunction with an encampment on VancouverBԪַs UBC campus, the PeopleBԪַs University for Gaza UBCO is asking .

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The protesters are specifically asking for settlements in Palestinian territories and those that manufacture weapons sold to Israel.

UBC has responded to the claims by saying that the universityBԪַs BԪַEndowment Fund does not directly own any stocks in the companies identified by the movement.BԪַ

Instead, UBC said capital is held in pooled funds and managed by external investment managers, BԪַwith the identified companies accounting for about 0.28 per cent of the Endowment Fund.BԪַ

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The protesters are also calling on UBC to participate in the global academic boycott of Israeli Universities, to condemn any acts of genocide in Gaza, reaffirm PalestinianBԪַs right to resist and return and to keep police off campus.

UBC has responded to the students in a statement that is available at The university said it will maintain BԪַuniversity neutralityBԪַ and will not be taking a position on the crisis but said, BԪַWe hope for a ceasefire and a lasting peaceful resolution in the Middle East.BԪַ

In a statement emailed to graduating students on June 4, UBCO stated graduation organizers are aware of the protesters on KelownaBԪַs campus and are BԪַactively monitoring the situation and prioritizing the safety of all our community members, graduates and visitors to campus.BԪַ

The statement clarifies that as a precaution, BԪַenhanced securityBԪַ will be present in and around the gymnasium and other facilities on campus. It also states that staff and marshals will be on-site to BԪַensure a smooth graduation experience.BԪַ

Graduation organizers also said that bags would be checked and asked that graduates leave all personal belongings behind as they would not be permitted on the stage.

The email from the universityBԪַs graduation organizers comes after members of the encampment at a public presentation on June 3, titled, Ashes to Action: Learning to live with wildfires.

In a written statement to Capital BԪַ, the PeopleBԪַs University for Gaza UBCO stated, BԪַSecurity does not make students safer,BԪַ and said it expects the increased security at the graduation will create a BԪַhostile environment for graduating students and their families.BԪַ

The protesters said BԪַUBC must ultimately do everything in its power to make conditions safer for people in Rafah and meet the demands of the encampment,BԪַ and have said they will remain on campus for as long as it takes to have their demands met.

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Jacqueline Gelineau

About the Author: Jacqueline Gelineau

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