All the large-scale encampments happening at UK university campuses right now
This week has seen encampments pop up at UK university campuses all across the country. In a week of action, pro-Palestine student protestors have set up camp at University of Warwick, University of Bristol, University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, Newcastle University and University College London.
This follows a string of similar encampments undertaken by students in the United States last week protesting the situation in Gaza. Some of these protests have erupted into violence with reportedly hundreds of protesting students being arrested by police.
Now students at these seven UK university campuses are following suit with even more encampments expected to be set up in the coming days. The so far peaceful protestors are calling for their universities to cease all links it may have to any Israeli universities and also to divest from companies that supply arms to Israel.
Here’s a full run down of the UK university campuses that have encampments so far:
Warwick
via @warwickstandswithpalestine on Instagram
University of Warwick was the first UK university to have an encampment set up on its campus with students, under the name Warwick Stands With Palestine, erecting tents in the campus piazza outside the Students’ Union at around 1am on 26th April. This was done in time for a university offer holder day that took place the next day on Sunday 27th.
With “more than 200 people supporting the occupation”, Warwick Stands With Palestine explains that it is a “cross-campus coalition of student and staff organisations which holds Palestinian liberation as a cause central to the struggle against exploitation and oppression”.
The university has confirmed that there will be no threat of disciplinary action for protesting students.
A spokesperson for Warwick University said: “This demonstration is being managed in line with our legal duty and commitment to allow freedom of speech on campus.
“The University of Warwick will not initiate any disciplinary action against any protesters, organisers or students involved in the ongoing demonstration unless the University receives complaints that would have to be reviewed under the Duty of Care owed to all students.”
University of Bristol
Students at the University of Bristol followed suit five days after Warwick, setting up an encampment in the campuses’ Royal Fort Gardens at about 3am on 1st May. Their location in the Royal Fort Gardens is visible to anyone walking on campus, creating an “educational space” encouraging participation from students.
The students involved told The Tab that they plan to stay indefinitely until the “university pledges to divest from arms companies, call for an immediate ceasefire and involve students in their partnerships.”
A spokesperson from the University of Bristol said: “We are aware that a group has set up several tents in Royal Fort Gardens. We fully respect the rights of our students to peacefully protest within the law.”
University of Sheffield
Also on Wednesday 1st May, students from protest group Sheffield Campus Coalition for Palestine set up an encampment outside the University of Sheffield’s Students’ Union.
The university sent out an email to all students outlining its commitment to free speech, and the right to protest. It also that protestors would be able to access facilities in the Students’ Union building over the bank holiday weekend.
A spokesperson from the University of Sheffield, said: “A small number of people have pitched tents in front of our Students’ Union following a planned protest. We support the right of our students to express their views peacefully and within the law and planned campus activities will continue as normal.
“We ask students involved in protests to be mindful of the experiences and positions of others. We also want to remind our students of the behavioural expectations around protests and that racism, antisemitism or Islamophobia will not be tolerated.”
University of Leeds
Leeds students have announced their intention to camp “indefinitely” outside of Leeds University’s student union in solidarity with Palestine on Wednesday, 1st May. Protestors occupied the green space opposite Leeds University Union, claiming they would remain in place until the University of Leeds is “no longer complicit in the oppression of the Palestinian people”.
A spokesperson for the University of Leeds said: “The university is monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of participants, as well as our wider community of staff and students. The surrounding area remains open.
“Whilst we respect the right to freedom of expression within the law, we are working to minimise disruption for everyone on campus. We know that many in our community are distressed and directly impacted by the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, and we will continue to do more to support our students, act to protect the cohesion of our community and tackle hatred wherever it is found.”
University of Manchester
Protestors took over Brunswick Park on Wednesday, erecting an array of tents which look to replicate the Palestinian flag. Banners and flags were also been put up on the green, with students planning on staying “until the university listens to their demands”.
Protestors are calling for the University of Manchester to cut ties with arms companies, cut ties with Israeli universities and institute a “proper ethical research policy”. They are also requesting that students participating in the encampment and past occupations do not receive disciplinary action.
The University of Manchester released a statement, where Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Hackett, expressed the “importance” of exercising free speech within the law, but also recognising respect towards different opinions.
Newcastle University
Newcastle students set up tents and a gazebo opposite the Students’ Union on Thursday. Activists in Newcastle claim to be the largest university encampment in the UK at present, with organisers having planned activities for protestors for the next coming weeks. They intend to continue occupying campus and “escalating their actions” until their demands have been met.
A Newcastle University spokesperson said: “We respect the right to peaceful protests and freedom of speech and are engaging with protestors.
“We are committed to our core values, which include social and environmental justice; equality, diversity and inclusion; and we have been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine.
“Working with industry partners is critical in helping us to leverage our world-class research, to advance science and to support the UK’s development through high-value employment and skills. Any proposals for defence and security collaborations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The university does not invest in companies making armaments.”
University College London
via Instagram @uclsjp
The most recent institution to become involved in the UK university encampments, students at UCL erected tents last night on campus. Around 10 protestors slept in tents on the green, with around 30 activists joining them in activities and rallies throughout the day today. Students are calling for the university to divest from companies they declare to be “complicit in genocide”.
A UCL spokesperson said: “Like many other universities, a small protest with tents is taking place in our quad. We are speaking with the organisers and carefully monitoring the situation.
“We will manage this in line with our legal duty and commitment to promote freedom of speech within the law, whilst ensuring the safety and security of our community and enabling our education and research activity to continue.”
Featured image Gary Roberts Photography/Shutterstock.
Related articles recommended by this author:
• Bristol University students camp in Royal Fort Gardens in solidarity with Palestine
• Warwick University students camp outside the SU in solidarity with Palestine
• Students launch ‘indefinite’ encampment outside Leeds Uni SU in solidarity with Palestine
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