Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt University of Warwick’s 60th anniversary event

Palestine supporters disrupted the University of Warwick’s 60th anniversary celebrations last month.

Protesters at the rally demonstrated outside Senate House against the university’s partnerships with weapons companies facilitating the violence in Palestine.

The event disrupted winter graduations and resulted in the celebration being moved to another location, The Boar reports.

Protestors from Warwick stands with Palestine (WSWP) organised the protest on January 22nd to coincide with the event.

Writing on Instagram ahead of the event, the group detailed a “rally and campaign launch” to protest against the university which they claim “still has partnerships and investments with weapons companies facilitating ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.”

via Instagram @warwickstandswithpalestine

WSWP protestors marched towards the Piazza, congregating there just as the birthday event was beginning, carrying a banner inscribed with the slogans”Arms Off Campus” and chanting in attempts to disrupt the celebrations. Some chants were targeted towards the graduation, using the refrain ”your graduation won’t set you free, be the change you want to see”.

The rally succeeded in disrupting the event, with organisers moving it from piazza to T-bar. Just after 1pm on the 22nd, vice chancellor Stuart Croft, Chancellor Bience Gawanas and SU President Enaya Nihal greeted the crowds attending the event, despite protestors at the entrances to Atrium and Rootes buildings.

WSWP protestors turned attention towards the faculty directly addressing them, as vice chancellor Croft released a countdown and confetti before leaving the scene. One protestor described the executives as “literally looking down on us”.

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The University of Warwick outlined its plans to celebrate the institutions 60th birthday, writing online earlier this year: “The countdown has begun to a programme of celebratory events which mark six decades of education, research, and infinite curiosity since its inception in 1965.”

Chancellor Gawanas wrote about the plans in a press release about the start of the 60th anniversary: “60 years is such a big milestone and I’m really honoured that I’ve become Chancellor of the university during its 60th anniversary year. The university has spread knowledge across the world and I hope it can continue to do that for many more years to come.”

A University spokesperson said in response to the disruption: “We managed this planned rally in line with our legal duty and commitment to freedom of speech where our students were able to voice their opinions. Whilst we recognise that freedom of speech is a vital component of university life,  we will continue to urge our students to respect the views of others even when they are different to their own.

“Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our community is our top priority. We continue to offer advice and help to all our students and staff through our support services.”

Warwick SU was contacted for comment.

Featured image via YouTube

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