Protestors dismantle Pro-Palestinian encampment at Queen's, review committee to hear divestment demands

We are thus announcing the end of our first encampment today. What was originally planned as a single overnight camp out turned into 12. Now it's officially coming to an end. This encampment was successful as it added pressure, allowed us to mobilize and raise collective consciousness, and build networks of solidarity across different movements. The unanimous decision between the protesters to decamp comes after Queen's University made some movement on the six demands of the pro Palestinian protesters. A statement issued by the university says in part, a written request to consider divestment was made by a campus community group in early May Principal Patrick Dean is creating a review committee for responsible Investing to review the request. The statement goes on to say final approval rests with the board of trustees. There will be opportunities for all those who have an interest in this matter to participate in this process. Principal Patrick Dean has since accepted our formal request for divestment and commence the Committee on divestment within one week's time. We have been told that the committee chair will be announced by the end of this week and to ensure representation from our party we have requested two seats on this committee. The protesters did say that all the demands have been discussed and addressed within Queens administration, but the pen has not been put to paper yet. In terms of a full commitment to all six, no written commitments. These are were just meetings and that's why we have said that we don't see these as victories but rather opportunities to hold this administration and these. Senior Admin as Accountable Queens has also added that there will be no retaliation while campers are prepared to leave the site on University Ave. as precondition to decamping. We have received confirmation via e-mail from the Provost that there will be no retaliation from the Queen's administration for all protesters and campers. Matthew Evans has assured us and our Faculty Observers Network that he's prepared to state on the record that there will be no retaliation against protesters. Pro Palestinian group says that just because they will not be camped out here doesn't mean their job is done. They say their plan is to continue to push for change on Queens campus. Caitlin Paubersnick, Global News, Kingston.