85,000 students across #Quebec are slated to strike tomorrow, according to the federation CRUES. It's the first student strike for #Palestine we're aware of since the current wave of solidarity actions began in North America.
How was it organized? Students called general assemblies, mostly at the level of their academic department, where strike motions were put forward and voted on. Strike committees are organizing to picket and disrupt classes that may try to go forward anyway.
In response, some institutions including Dawson, a major junior college, have closed for the day tomorrow for "safety" reasons. Elsewhere, admins have sent threatening mass emails, and tensions will rise with zionists, scab professors, and security as the strike is put into effect.
Keep your eyes on Concordia University, where over 10,000 students will be on strike. Security there have called police onto campus several times since the start of the semester to arrest students.
Quebec's longstanding culture of combative student associations helps make student strikes like this one possible. But in many striking schools and departments, there was no recent precedent to build on, and autonomous organizing was key.
When successful, student strikes force people to choose sides, reveal the violent underpinnings of society and its education system, and, when prolonged, free up time for militant activity.
Thursday morning update! The Concordia admin's intimidation tactics have proven a resounding failure, as most profs in striking departments have canceled class or refused to cross picket lines. Security guards appear wary of escalation, and pickets are proceeding as planned.