McGill University closed its downtown campus as Montreal police descended in large numbers to help clear a pro-Palestinian encampment.

The university said Wednesday the more-than-10-week-old encampment was being dismantled.

McGill president Deep Saini said the university was dismantling the camp in 鈥渃lose collaboration鈥� with the city and police, and through the 鈥渆ngagement of a qualified security firm.鈥�

鈥淭his camp was not a peaceful protest,鈥� Saini said, in a written statement posted to the university鈥檚 website Wednesday.

鈥淚t was a heavily fortified focal point for intimidation and violence, organized largely by individuals who are not part of our university community.鈥�

Police, some dressed in riot gear, cordoned off streets leading to the site of the encampment at the university鈥檚 lower field, blocking access, while a crowd of demonstrators gathered by the police line.

鈥淭he students are steadfast in their struggle,鈥� said Zeyad Abisaab, a Concordia University student, who looked on from the street and said he had previously been part of a student-led Palestinian solidarity group.

A group of protesters stood in front of the encampment, facing construction equipment that had been brought in to remove them. Neither police, security agents nor construction workers had moved in to dismantle the encampment as of about 8 a.m.

McGill said classes typically held on campus would be moved online as it advised students and faculty to stay away. Libraries and campus daycares were also closed.

Campus protesters have demanded the university end its investments connected to Israel鈥檚 military and cuts ties with Israeli institutions over the offensive in Gaza.

A pro-Palestinian encampment in the heart of Montreal鈥檚 financial district was dismantled by police last week.

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