McGill, UOttawa convocation ceremonies briefly disrupted, other institutions consider measures

Convocation ceremonies at McGill University and the University of Ottawa were briefly disrupted by protesters late last week. At McGill, a graduating student reportedly unfurled a banner reading “Divest from Death” while on stage and made a spitting motion at university leaders. At a UOttawa graduation ceremony on Sunday, several individuals reportedly disrupted the event and shouted to disrupt a speech by UOttawa President Jacques Fremont. Security proceeded to remove the protesters; a 27-year-old man is facing charges after a security guard was pepper-sprayed. With convocation forthcoming on several other campuses, CTV News reports that institutions like the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph are implementing additional security measures and communicating their expectations with attendees and graduands.