‘The university’s goal is to cease the camps as swiftly as feasible.’
Universities across the country are standing firm against the demands of pro-Palestine protesters who have set up camp on campuses, leading to an ongoing standoff at a Melbourne university.
As of Saturday, May 18, demonstrators had been occupying a building at the University of Melbourne in Parkville for four days, stating that they have no intentions of leaving following unsuccessful discussions with university officials.
The encampment within the Arts West building has forced the rescheduling of 247 classes, impacting over 8,000 students over a span of three days.
The university has expressed concerns about the safety risks posed by the protest and has indicated that police could potentially be called in at any moment, although they have not been requested to intervene thus far.
A university spokesperson mentioned that the protest has instilled fear and distress, and individuals participating who are not students may be reported to law enforcement.
However, the demonstrators have vowed to stay put until the university reveals and severs any connections to weapons manufacturing companies.
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“They’re attempting to intimidate us with police threats and then bring us to the negotiating table under false pretenses of seriousness,” a spokesperson told the press on May 17.
The demonstrators have named the Arts West building “Mahmoud Hall” in memory of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a Palestinian individual who lost his life in the Israel-Hamas conflict and was supposed to attend the university.
Meanwhile, at Monash University, protesters alleged that their camp was dismantled by force, but university officials stated that organizers had informed them of plans to dismantle the encampment.
These encampments were set up in five different locations at Victorian universities, with one in each state and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
While a pro-Israel camp at the University of Queensland was disbanded on May 17, a pro-Palestine camp persisted.
“The university’s goal is to end the camps promptly,” stated Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry in a release.
She mentioned that the university would take appropriate measures regarding any incidents that contravene the institution’s code of conduct, without specifying potential actions.
Protesting students at the Australian National University in Canberra have been instructed to vacate the premises, or else the university might consider disciplinary measures.
Additionally, La Trobe University in Melbourne informed protest organizers to disband their encampment on the Bundoora campus late on May 17.
“Although the protests at La Trobe have been relatively peaceful and classes have not been disrupted thus far, the university has evaluated the risks associated with the ongoing encampment activities and made this decision in the best interest of the safety, welfare, and comfort of all campus occupants and visitors,” as stated in a release.
At the University of Sydney, demonstrators requested Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott to participate in a public forum on May 17, but he declined.
They have pledged to continue their encampment and have not ruled out moving indoors like their counterparts in Melbourne.
