Student-led protests at the University of Glasgow demand divestment from arms industry

Student demonstrators have blockaded University of Glasgow buildings in protest against the institutions’ alleged financial and research links with Israel.

On 12th February, at the University of Glasgow, around 50 students obstructed access to the Rankine Engineering Building after the university’s governing body refused calls from staff and students to cut ties with the arms industry.

Demonstrators in Glasgow carried banners reading “No More Business as Usual” and “Long Live the Student Intifada.”

Callum McCrae, a student protestor, said: “Despite acknowledging widespread support for divestment, the university refuses to sever tied with the arms industry. Statements lamenting the horror in Gaza are meaningless unless followed by concrete steps to end their financial and ideological complicity in [Israel].

“We will not be ignored and will take action to stop business as usual at the university until these vital changes are made. We look forward to the day when management joins the majority of the staff and student body in pushing for a better world—not just with words, but with action.”

A statement from the Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS) supported the Glasgow Against Arms & Fossil Fuels’ (GAAFF) demonstration: “As history has shown, the university will do nothing to combat its complicity. Over the past year, any progress in support of Palestine has only been achieved through student-led campaigning and direct action.

“Students across Scotland continue to escalate their demands for divestment, standing in solidarity with Palestine and one another. We remain united in this struggle and send our full support to them.”

The University of Glasgow’s endowment fund was allegedly valued at £262 million as of July 2024. A publicly available list of investments from 2023 includes shares in the arms industries allegedly linked to Israel, such as BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Thales.

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However, not all students have expressed support for the demonstrations.

Students voiced their discontent with the protests, particularly after the vandalism of the James McCune Smith building last week.

A second year student, who wishes to remain anonymous, criticised the blockade, arguing that is disrupts students’ education without providing constructive solutions.

“If their idea of a fun Wednesday is to stand in the cold and block students from studying engineering, which is already a straining enough degree, I say let them. They are not scary or frightening; they are a bunch of idiots who watch too much TikTok,” they told The Glasgow Tab.

“I honestly think that not investing in arms companies makes total sense, but the uni can’t have this havoc going. Either clean them off campus or accept their demands.”

Other students echoed frustrations about the disruption caused by the protests.

Sophie Taylor, a fourth year law student, told The Glasgow Tab: “I support the right to protest, but when you’re physically blocking students from accessing their education, you’re undermining your own cause. Disrupting classes doesn’t get the message across—it just makes people resent you.”

James Doherty, a second year engineering student, said to The Glasgow Tab: “I think a lot of us agree that divestment from arms companies should be on the table, but this way of protesting is just counterproductive. I’m not sure how standing outside the Rankine Building stopping engineers from getting to their lectures is supposed to help.”

On the other hand, some students have expressed strong support for the demonstrations.

Layla Khan, a second year history student, told The Glasgow Tab that she believes “direct action is necessary”, saying that the University of Glasgow ” has ignored petitions, meetings, and discussions”.

She furthered stated: “Protests like these are the only way to make them listen…And if it happens to block your way to a lecture, so be it.”

A PhD student, who wishes to remain anonymous, also spoke about the disruption the protests may cause: “People are criticising the protests for being disruptive, but that’s exactly the point! Business as usual cannot continue when our universities are invested in arms companies profiting from war and occupation.”

A spokesperson for the University of Glasgow said: “The University of Glasgow upholds the right to freedom of expression, including the right of staff and students to engage in peaceful demonstrations. However, we do not tolerate activities which interfere with the rights of others to go about their business in peace.”

GAAFF, BAE Systems, Thales, and Lockheed Martin were contacted for comment but has not yet responded.

Featured image via @gaafmovement Instagram