UofT encampment organizer Sara Rasikh joins me to walk through the inside story of “Occupy for Palestine”—from the first tents at King’s College Circle (May 2, 2024) to the court-ordered dismantling (July 3). We talk logistics, negotiation, care work, spiritual life in the camp, and the personal risks for student spokespeople. I set the scene with “Fascist / Squish / Antifascist” news on Greta Thunberg’s deportation and how liberal institutions police dissent—then close with a “fashy dad” segment on UK PM Keir Starmer and the criminalization of Palestine Action supporters. If you’ve wondered what encampments actually do—politically, ethically, and communally—this is your primer.
Guest
Sara Rasikh (PhD student, University of Toronto). MA in Social Justice Education; HBA in Ethics, Society & Law and in Critical Studies in Equity & Solidarity (UofT).
Listen & Support
• Watch/subscribe: YouTube @antifascistdad
• TikTok: @antifascistdad
• IG: @matthew_Remski
• Part 2 is up now on Patreon: @antifascistdadpodcast (temporarily paywalled)
• Pre-order the book Antifascist Dad: Urgent Conversations with Young People in Chaotic Times (North Atlantic Books, Apr 2026): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/807656/antifascist-dad-by-matthew-remski/
Content notes
State violence; detention; doxxing; police actions; genocide; fasting/starvation; prison abuse (discussion).
References
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UofT encampment—injunction & dismantling (July 2–3, 2024): University’s official notice and Reuters same-day coverage confirm the court order to clear by 6:00 p.m., July 3 and the camp’s removal. Office of the President
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Campus encampment wave scale (May 2024): AP reported rapid spread across Europe and the U.S.; The Chronicle’s tracker packages recap scope and arrests through 2024–25. AP News
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Greta Thunberg—deportation & Athens remarks (Oct 6, 2025): On-the-ground AP and Reuters pieces (plus AP video) document the deportations and her statement at Athens airport. AP News
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Hannibal Directive on Oct 7, 2023: Haaretz investigation (with summary reporting by Al Jazeera) details the order’s use on Oct 7.
Chapters
- (00:00:00) - Anti-Fascist Dad Podcast: The Encampment for Palestine
- (00:04:03) - Fascists Squish and Anti Fascist News of the Week
- (00:08:38) - Why I Write About The Israel War
- (00:14:56) - Oveoccupy for Palestine: Our demands
- (00:19:35) - The U of T Student Camping
- (00:29:19) - Speakers at the Palestine encampment
- (00:33:32) - Was Your Family Concerned About Your Safety?
- (00:35:34) - Various spiritual practices offered at the Gaza encampment
- (00:38:03) - Food at the Occupy encampment
- (00:40:10) - FASHY DAD: Keir Starmer
- (00:43:00) - The Fight for the Right to Protest
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