Lawsuit filed over 2024 pro-Gaza protests at the University of Calgary

A lawsuit filed against the Calgary Police Service, City of Calgary and University of Calgary claims that nine demonstrators were injured, prosecuted and traumatized by the crackdown of a pro-Gaza protest on May 9, 2024. (File)

A group of nine protesters who claim they were injured, traumatized and unfairly prosecuted during a pro-Gaza protest two years ago are taking legal action.

The lawsuit, filed by Chris Weibe of Engel Law, has named the Calgary Police Service (CPS), City of Calgary and the University of Calgary as defendants.

The nine plaintiffs include three University of Calgary students and four alumni, as well as various “advocates for peace from Calgary’s diverse communities” who were all present during a protest at the school on May 9, 2024.

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According to a news release, the protesters had set up an encampment on the U of C’s main quadrangle to rally against what they say was the institution’s “complicity” in the violent acts against Gazans by Israel.

The demonstrators remained at the location for the whole day, until 8 p.m., when CPS mobilized to remove the encampment, acting on a trespass order from the U of C.

“Approximately 20 demonstrators refused to leave and were subjected to a violent removal operation by Calgary police at around 11:15 p.m.,” the release reads.

The organization represented in the claim said the demonstrators suffered concussions, rib, jaw and hand injuries, cuts, bruises and scrapes and “psychological trauma.”

Several of the demonstrators were charged following the police crackdown, but the organization says all those charges were withdrawn by the Crown.

In a statement, the University of Calgary said it “will review any statement of claim received through the courts and respond as appropriate.”

The City of Calgary said it would not be able to provide a statement given that the matter is before the courts.

CTV News has also reached out to the CPS for comment.

None of the above claims have been tested in court.