U of T not pleased as fire burns in ‘Little Gaza’ commune

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There’s no mistaking the smell of a campfire, even if there are efforts to shield it from view.

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Some things are hard to hide.

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The smell of burning wood, a pile of firewood and the flames inside a small backyard-style fire kettle are examples of that. Yes, there is a fire burning inside the commune dubbed “Little Gaza” on the campus of the University of Toronto.

And yes, that was protesters bringing in firewood Tuesday and stacking enough of it on campus to keep a fire going for days. It does not appear that the “pro-Palestine” campers were given permission or a permit from the university, City of Toronto or Toronto Fire.

And U of T administrators do not seem pleased about it.

In response to questions from The Toronto Sun, Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students, and Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, issued the following statement.

“The university has serious concerns regarding the health and safety of its community in the context of the encampment.”

After a record year of forest fires, any open flame fire is a risk and potentially dangerous.

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City of Toronto spokesman Shane Gerard provided guidelines, which state, “Open air burning includes bonfires, fire pits, sky lanterns and the use of various types of outdoor fireplaces (also known as a Chiminea). Although outdoor fireplaces can be purchased at retail outlets throughout the city, it does not mean open air burning is permitted for their use” and, in fact, “open air burning is not permitted” without a permit.

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Ontario Fire Code 2.4.4.4 states, under a section entitled, “Open Air Burn Permit & Cultural Fire Authorization,” that there are “rare occasions” where permits are “approved,” but “prior to issuance of permits, Toronto Fire Services will conduct a site inspection.”

There has been no indication that has happened. But no rules are being followed in any category. Despite the spin, it is not peaceful there.

In addition to the campfire, there are many signs calling for “intifada” and there is still a bizarre border checkpoint where people line up to see if they meet entry requirements.

The camp is growing, and its occupants are building up their fortifications and seem to be more hostile.

It’s also getting more difficult to look inside since, thanks to the tarps that occupants put over fencing — originally erected to keep occupiers out — which shields sections of the new exclusive community from view. That includes the campfire.

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Those inside the encampment have gone to great lengths to shield the fire from anyone wishing to photograph it.

But it’s there. And U of T knows it.

Welsh and Hannah-Moffat said they saw “large piles of firewood inside the fenced-off encampment area, blocked and reinforced egress points, which are needed to provide safe exit in case of fire and medical emergency, hateful messages and speech as well as altercations, significant population density within the fenced-in area.”  They also noted “non-U of T community members entering, leaving and/or staying in the encampment overnight” and “attempts by unauthorized vehicles to gain access to a pedestrian area of campus and drive into the encampment.”

In other words, things really are out of control there. It’s a takeover of the King’s College Circle area – both inside and outside the fenced-off area.

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And not everybody is welcome. There are dozens of self-appointed security marshals policing both inside and outside the fence area – some even following or harassing journalists or passersby who want to do interviews or take pictures.

Some Jewish faculty and students have said they were not permitted. Others have complained to Toronto Police that they have been assaulted.

But the campfire, hateful signs and even a table set up outside the fence with a banner saying “intifada” and sporting communist-style hammer and sickle logos has raised some eyebrows and much concern. Those organizing this sit-in are being reported to not be happy with the lack of response from the U of T, but one can hardly expect to get quick action with what has been going on in this encampment.

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“Because of the ongoing encampment, two demonstrations numbering in the thousands, including some with flares and smoke bombs, have come to university grounds well into the evening. As the summer term has begun, students are living in nearby residence buildings and this poses an additional safety risk,” said Welsh and Hannah-Moffat. “Our accountability for the health and safety of our community is a critical priority. We look forward to resolving these concerns and moving on to substantive discussions as quickly as possible.”

Hopefully, those discussions happen before a fire breaks out and someone dies, just as we have seen in other Toronto encampments.

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