Support the University of Birmingham 2! Drop the Investigations!

Bob Whitehead reports from a new Palestine occupation at the University of Birmingham.

 
Tents Palestinian glags and placrds: If you are not angry you are not paying attention and Resisting against genocide is a human right

Like so many other places last year, there was a student occupation in defence of the Palestinians facing a genocidal onslaught by Israel at the University of Birmingham. The occupation, on the Green Heart, lasted nine weeks before it was ended by bailiffs seizing the tents at 5am on a July morning. Before that, a possession order had been issued for the land being occupied, and disciplinary action had commenced against some of the students, two of them in particular.

This latest occupation, including the victimised students, began on Wednesday 29 January with a rally near the Green Heart. This not only attracted supporters, but also campus security and plain clothes police. Undeterred, the students demonstrated vociferously before setting off around the campus, and finally setting up camp just outside its perimeter, by the Bournbrook Pavillion. This is a main thoroughfare between the campus and student accommodation.

Birmingham University has £72m invested in companies linked to Israeli war crimes, yet when students protested this link and called for divestment last year, they were accused of intimidatory behaviour. The complained about behaviour included using the slogan ‘stop killing babies’ and wearing keffiyehs – the latter were compared to balaclavas. When the students pointed out that chanting slogans was basic freedom of speech, and asked for examples of any unacceptable behaviour on their behalf, their ‘clapping’ was cited by authorities. .

The students are demanding:

  • The university divest from companies and partnerships breaking international law,
  • the university authorities to urgently meet with the students,
  • Freedom of speech must be protected on campus

They have an online petition which gives more information about their case here.

The students have received support from the University UCU branch, from the student/staff coalition and others, but more is needed, for example from the University Student Guild, local councillors and MPs.

They also need blankets, hot water bottles, pillows, hot food and Palestinian flags. If you are in the area, please pay them a visit.


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