Alberta’s Serious Incident Response Team has concluded its investigation into Edmonton police’s dismantling of a pro-Palestinian protest encampment in May at the University of Alberta .

Arthur Green, press secretary for public safety and emergency services, confirmed Friday that ASIRT had completed its “limited scope investigation” and concluded that none of the injuries suffered by protesters met the threshold of ” serious injuries.”

In a news release issued Thursday, EPS said Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis informed Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee of the conclusion of the investigation into ASIRT.

“Using the definition of ‘serious’ which is regularly used by ASIRT when conducting investigations into police harm, ASIRT found that claims of ‘serious’ injuries cannot be verified “, indicates a press release from the EPS.

“The Edmonton Police Service cooperated fully with ASIRT during its investigation, which included providing evidence such as camera footage where it existed.”

On May 9, protesters set up a makeshift camp on campus, determined not to leave until the university met their demands.

They called on the university to disclose its investments and cut all ties with Israel. They also wanted the situation in Gaza declared a genocide while calling on the federal government to end military contracts with Israel.

In the early morning hours of May 11, when the number of people in the camp was at its lowest, EPS officers in riot gear forcibly removed everyone who did not obey their orders to stand. disperse.

Videos shared on social media show police beating protesters with batons.

Protesters said at the time that four students were injured, including one who was sent to the hospital.

Nour Salhi, a MacEwan student, was one of the organizers of the protest and says the survey results are not surprising.

“But they are nonetheless disappointing,” she told CBC in an interview.

“The assertion that the injuries were not serious enough implies that the effects of the sweep on students, faculty, and community members, which are still being felt to this day, are not valid.”

Regarding the individual who was hospitalized, Salhi said: “We had a member hospitalized for his injuries, and of course, months later, fortunately, many of those injuries have healed, but the scars remain, whether they whether emotional or physical.

Salhi challenges what is considered “serious” by ASIRT.

“The fact that ASIRT is suggesting that unless the damage is lasting, physically, they don’t care that it doesn’t warrant real reform and action on police policies is a response inadequate,” she said.

EPS said that since the matter no longer falls under the mandate of ASIRT, complaints related to the removal of the University of Alberta encampment would fall under the mandate of EPS’ Professional Standards Branch (PSB).

The EPS said that to date, the PSB has not received any complaints from the public with standing under the Police Act.

To have standing, a citizen must have witnessed or been directly involved in the incident they are reporting to the PSB, according to the EPS.

The University of Alberta said in an emailed statement that it did not have access to the ASIRT investigation process, or “any related information.”

Last Tuesday, Calgary police also said ASIRT could not verify allegations of serious injuries during the removal of a pro-Palestinian protest camp at the University of Calgary and that the investigation by the he police watchdog was now complete.

Salhi said the protest group remains focused on its goals of obtaining full disclosure, having the situation in Gaza declared a genocide and divestment from the University of Australia and MacEwan University.