Montreal police (SPVM) investigators are waiting to view security camera footage to determine what happened during a vandalism spree through McGill University’s downtown campus Wednesday night, which left shattered glass strewn across multiple sites.
Responding to 911 calls shortly after 8 p.m., SPVM patrollers arrived on campus after the damage had been done, with no suspects spotted on scene. The damage consisted of dozens of destroyed windows and glass doors, along with new ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti spotted on a column of the Roddick Gates at the main campus entrance.
Absolutely despicable.
— Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (@CanadianFSWC) February 6, 2025
Last night, dozens of windows at three McGill University buildings were destroyed, and anti-Israel graffiti was spraypainted at the entrance. Once again, Montreal is the site of violence and lawlessness.@SPVM must take swift action to hold those… pic.twitter.com/wJwDrBbG47
Along with the anti-Israel messages—including the inverted red triangle symbol regularly used by protesters—were reports of other graffiti messages including the anarchist ‘A’ symbol, and the phrase ‘$700 million’ in apparent reference to McGill’s acquisition of the Royal Victoria Hospital, which has faced protests due to claims that there are unmarked graves of Indigenous children on the property.
In a statement to The CJN, McGill says some 40 vandals arrived and moved quickly across campus, “smashing windows in five buildings and disrupting classes and exams taking place at that time. These actions, which caused extensive damage, created panic and anxiety among students, faculty and staff on site.”
“These acts of vandalism were intended to intimidate our campus community and bully us into changing the University’s decision regarding proposals from some to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) the State of Israel” reads the McGill statement. “The University’s position rejecting BDS remains clear and firm.”
SPVM spokesperson Florence Stafford told The CJN she could not confirm the number of identification of any suspects. “Our investigators are waiting to look at area footage and we’ll know more,” she said. “The investigation has just started and we don’t have any updates.” Stafford added that there was no graffiti discovered containing threats of violence and there were no injuries reported. So far, the damage appears to be limited to campus buildings hundreds of meters from the main entrance, but close to Doctor Penfield Ave.
A message from McGill president and vice-chancellor Deep Saini to the McGill community suggests the incident was far more disruptive than just a few windows being broken, the vandals reportedly smashing windows of five buildings in under ten minutes and disrupting ongoing classes and exams involving hundreds of students.
“Security agents quickly notified police, but the vandals left before they arrived, after causing chaos, extensive damage, and panic among the students, faculty, and staff on site” he wrote to the McGill community.
“I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those nearest to the shattering glass as the shouting mob used stones, bricks, and hammers to destroy the windows. I was deeply relieved to learn that no injuries were reported, but for many, this was a truly terrifying experience. Violent actions like these have no place on our campuses or in our society, and they prevent us from delivering on the academic mission that has brought us all together as McGillians. For these reasons, we will fully enforce our policies and pursue legal accountability wherever appropriate.
“Some of you are understandably feeling shaken, frustrated, and fearful today. Know that I stand with you, that the resources listed below are available to you, and that I will use all available means to keep you safe and protect our community.”
Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather posted on social media that he spoke with McGill administrators “and it has been clear for a long time that the City of Montreal needs to allocate more SPVM resources to protect university students and property. If this does not happen the provincial government needs to step in.”
The Roddick Gates at Sherbrooke Street and McGill College Avenue has been the site of frequent pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations, vandalism and graffiti since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. It was also the site of the infamous hanging of a prison-garbed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in effigy from the top of the gates.
“Once again, pro-Hamas and anarchist groups, who proudly advertise their hateful messages and plans to incite and intimidate Montrealers, have crossed the line” wrote Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) Quebec vice-president Eta Yudin on social media, who called last night’s incident a “despicable attack” that underscores the need “for a strong, unified approach from administrators, law enforcement, “and all leaders to address this scourge.”
Actes de vandalisme violent et intimidation à @mcgillu commis par des anarchistes extrémistes, nous attendons les arrestations. Il est crucial de rétablir l'ordre sur les campus et dans la ville.#SPVM https://t.co/bl8wWBauuM pic.twitter.com/s3XZxnwuqh
— Emmanuelle Amar (@EmmanuelleFAmar) February 6, 2025
In June, police arrested more than a dozen demonstrators occupying part of McGill’s administration building, followed a few weeks later by a police operation using tear gas to disperse protesters after demonstrators smashed campus windows. Then in September, protesters tore up McGill campus’ lawn a few weeks after new sod had been laid following the removal of an illegal encampment that lasted 10 weeks.
On the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, and during a heavily advertised “Week of Rage” promoted by anti-Israel groups, protestors tore down police barricades and stormed the campus, some smashing windows and destroying property at McGill’s soon-to-be-completed sports science facility.
“Destroying university property in a futile attempt to intimidate administrators and students is an attack on our shared values” added Yudin. “Those bent on tearing apart our society through violently imposing hateful and antisemitic ideologies have no place on campus or any of our public spaces. Students, faculty, and staff have the right to safety and security. We will continue fighting to uphold this principle for all Quebecers and all Canadians.”
McGill and other Quebec universities have often been targeted over the past 18 months. “This comes at a risk to our academic mission, and compromises our students’ right to learn, and our colleagues’ right to work, in a safe and peaceful environment” says the McGill statement.
“As a leading institution in Montreal, we call upon the City, municipal police, and the Quebec government to protect our communities.
“We expect that arrests will occur.”
Ces actes sont complètement inacceptables. Je dénonce le vandalisme survenu hier soir devant l’Université McGill. Le droit de manifester ne justifie en aucun cas la destruction de biens. Montréal est une ville où l’expression doit se faire dans le respect des lois et des autres.…
— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) February 6, 2025
