UK encampment news, June 3-7
UK encampment news, June 3-7
Incremental victories, Nottingham in court, escalation in London and Manchester
The University of Nottingham is taking its students to the high court on June 19, 2024. The Nottingham Camp for the Liberation of Palestine is fundraising £15,000 for their legal defence.
Friday
Swansea University confirmed their commitment to divesting from Barclay’s Bank in the next two months and that their asset manager will follow the new investment policy excluding armaments companies and “associated strategic products”, according to a statement from the Swansea University Solidarity Encampment and Palestinian Society. Students noted a number of further demands which are still unmet.
The LSE Encampment issued a statement that the London School of Economics management has agreed to dedicate an additional £250,000 for scholarships for Palestinian students but has made no moves to divest. Students and staff continue to occupy a building on campus.
Student protests successfully delayed a debate at Durham University.
Thursday
The University of Aberdeen issued a statement that included a call for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of Palestinians from “genocidal acts.” According to the Aberdeen-Palestine Solidarity Encampment, the university has committed to reviewing its financial dealings and extending the scope of ethical investments policy to the entire arms sector and companies involved in illegal settlements in Palestine.
A sign at the encampment at Imperial College reading “Siamo Tutti Antisionisti” (‘we are all anti-zionists’ - a play on a famous anti-fascist slogan) was removed by campus security, according to the Imperial College Liberated Zone.
At 4:30am on Friday, security returned to attempt to remove signs when students were asleep and successfully took some. Students responded by making more.
Wednesday
University College London published a statement saying recent student protests have been “intimidating and escalatory” and that the administration has “instigated disciplinary proceedings against those students involved, and that it would report criminal behaviour to the police “if necessary.” At least seven students have been suspended. UCL Stands for Justice, the coalition of students in UCL’s Liberated Zone, have condemned the statement, and UCL Alumni for Palestine has issued a solidarity statement.
Monday
On Monday, a group of students at the University of York blockaded the entry to a building housing administrative offices. The York Palestinian Encampment endorsed the actions of the unaffiliated student group.
A broad coalition of Welsh organizations, including student organizers at Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea University, has issued a statement condemning Monday’s detentions, arrests and brutalization of 19 pro-Palestinian students and activists across Wales.
Also on Monday, the University of Manchester campus security locked student protesters inside a building and, according to UofM students and staff, obstructed access to sanitation and water. On Tuesday, Manchester Camp of Resistance members occupied Gilbert Square and renamed it Ahmed Al Najjar Square. The next day, encampment members occupied an exam hall as part of their direct action.
