News / University of Bristol
End of encampment at Bristol Uni’s Royal Fort Gardens
Protesters who had been camped out on University of Bristol land for more than two months have now left their encampment.
The pro-Palestine student group decided to “cease and decamp” despite a recent court appearance where they successfully appealed to adjourn a hearing attempting to remove them from Royal Fort Gardens.
The two-month stand off between the group and the university culminated in a possession order that demanded the group to disperse from the land off Tyndall Avenue..
is needed now More than ever
The end of encampment at University of Bristol at early hours this morning pic.twitter.com/8e4uDzo2e0
— Milan Gregory Perera (@stbonscc) July 11, 2024
The encampment group appeared at a court hearing on Friday at the Bristol Civil Justice Centre but the student activists claimed there was insufficient time to present their case.
Outside the Civil Justice Centre in Redcliffe, members of the student group were vociferous about their disapproval of the university’s actions, calling for the demilitarisation of the University of Bristol and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The encampment on Royal Fort Gardens was summoned for a court hearing at Civil Justice Centre – photo: Susie Long
After a 15-minute hearing, the students revealed that they had succeeded in postponing their hearing, with the university saying that it recognised this decision.
It came after both the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham successfully secured court orders to enforce the end of encampments on their campuses.
“It is not a sign of weakness. Palestinian resistance can never and will never be silenced, as is proven by the Palestinians who continue to stay steadfastly resisting the current genocide,” said the pro-Palestine encampment – photo: Milan Perera
When Bristol24/7 visited the former encampment site on Thursday morning, two activists were taking down the tents.
When asked if the decision was prompted by the recent events unfolded at Birmingham and Nottingham, one of the activists said: “It’s a combination of factors. After taking everything into account we feel it’s the right decision.”
The activist explained that the removal of the encampment was a pre-condition to initiate discussion with the university regarding its “complicity” during the Israel-Gaza conflict.
They said: “We’d like to hold discussions with the uni face to face about their complicity in what’s been happening. One of the conditions was we clear the encampment before any talks begins.”
When asked if they are intending to resume the encampment at the beginning of the autumn term, they said: “It’s too early to say that. Let’s see what happens now and then.”
In a statement, the activists said: “We are but a small part of Palestinian resistance, and our decision to decamp is in no way an indication that the community is any less strong; in fact, the community of Bristol has shown that they stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine, from upholding the encampment to holding the university accountable for its complicity; from weekly city protests and marches to blockade the Elbit Systems factory in Filton.
“It is evident that the local community has had enough of the university’s funding, arming, and profiteering from genocide.”
The group has reiterated that the current action is no “sign of weakness” and vowed that the “Palestinian resistance will never be silenced”.
They said: “Be assured that our decision to end the encampment comes from a place of centring.
“It is not a sign of weakness. Palestinian resistance can never and will never be silenced, as is proven by the Palestinians who continue to stay steadfastly resisting the current genocide.”
The activists are slowly unfolding the encampment following the collective decision on Wednesday – photo: Milan Perera
The encampment on Royal Fort Gardens began at 4am on May 1 with just three tents and seven activists but the encampment gathered traction and grew over the next eight weeks with demonstrations every week demanding the University of Bristol to “sever ties” with companies that are “complicit in the genocide”.
Following the court hearing, a university spokesperson said: “The University acknowledges the court’s decision to adjourn the possession proceedings.
“We support the right to freedom of expression and to engage in lawful, peaceful protest and understand the deeply held concerns that many in our community feel about the situation in Israel-Gaza.
“Since the encampment was set up nine weeks ago, the University has treated those involved with courtesy, dignity and respect. Unfortunately, especially during the last few weeks, we have seen actions on campus that fall far short of our behavioural expectations.
“The encampment has become a focal point for some of these unacceptable behaviours, including we believe from people outside of the University.
“Some of this has gone beyond what is an acceptable expression of views, raising concerns over the safety of our community and our visitors and interfering with core university business. As such we last week commenced legal action to disperse the encampment.”
The University of Bristol declined to comment on the latest situation.
The encampment began in the early hours of May 1 and lasted for 71 days – photo: Milan Perera
Main photo: Milan Perera
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