News / The University of Bristol
Students camp overnight in university building in pro-Palestine protest
Students have spent the night camped in a University of Bristol building as part of a sit-in to protest against the university’s “complicity” in the Israel/Gaza war.
Protesters were still inside the Victoria Rooms on Queen’s Road at 12pm on Saturday. The decision was made after a separate pro-Palestine society at the university met with the vice chancellor, Evelyn Welch on Friday.
Earlier in the day, students had marched through campus demanding the university relinquish ties with arms companies and companies owned by Israel, before protesting outside the Victoria Rooms.
is needed now More than ever
Among a number of demands laid out in an open letter to the university, students are demanding the university call for an immediate ceasefire, cut ties with arms companies complicit in Israel’s attacks and protect Palestinian students.
They are also demanding the university commit to free speech on campus by confirming that staff or students will not be punished for anti-Zionist beliefs, as well as offering full transparency in its partnerships and investments and an immediate end to the requirement for students to use a “Check-In app” owned by an Israeli company.
A University of Bristol spokesperson said about the occupation: “We respect our students’ freedom of speech and right to protest. Our vice-chancellor is always happy to talk with students about their concerns, meeting with the Friends of Palestine Society just this morning.
“We recognise the distress and impact on all staff and students at the university of the ongoing violence and conflict in the Middle East.
“It is more important than ever that we sustain our shared values of mutual respect, support, and compassion for each other, whatever our individual views on the conflict.
“We will continue to engage with the students occupying the Victoria Rooms to ensure their safety and those of others using the building.”
Main photo: Bristol Occupy 4 Palestine
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