Pro-Palestine protesters asked by UoL to ‘vacate’ Abercromby Square following reoccupation

A group of University of Liverpool protesters conducting a reoccupation of Abercromby Square in solidarity with Palestine have been asked to “vacate the square” only one full day after a camp was erected on campus.

The Students of Alareer Square group reoccupied the space near the Sydney Jones Library on Wednesday as part of their demands for the university to cut ties with arms companies supplying the current conflict in Gaza.

In a letter delivered to the encampment on Thursday, the University of Liverpool’s secretary Kevan Ryan demanded the protesters “vacate the square immediately” or “no later than 12 noon” on March 21st.

The request explains that “the university and its wider community must not be subjected to unreasonable and unlawful disruption, and must be allowed to conduct its normal business”.

The Liverpool Tab spoke to the Students of Alareer Square, who said they were “appalled by the university management’s response to peaceful protest”.

The reoccupation of Abercromby Square occurs in the wake of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestine being broken on Monday night.

The protest group announced the erection of their encampment via a statement posted to their social media pages.

“Despite the university’s attempts to intimidate us, the student movement is stronger than ever, and we will not stop protesting until the university makes the necessary steps to cut ties” they said.

Students have erected tents and gazebos in the area, and have hosted a rally outside the UoL careers fair at the Metropolitan Cathedral since the reoccupation.

The University of Liverpool’s notice to the occupiers of Abercromby Square highlights its “responsibility to maintain a safe, effective and welcoming environment for all of our students and staff”.

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The request for the removal of protesters and tents recognises “the right of students to protest peacefully” but explains that “the university has not given, and does not give, permission for the square to be used in this way”.

It also iterates that Abercromby Square is situated on private land owned by the university.

The letter then goes on to say: “For university students who are camping in the square, failure to vacate will be considered a disciplinary offence and will result in formal action under the university disciplinary procedure.

“More broadly, failure to vacate may result in the university taking legal proceedings to remove you and your tents from the square”.

It ends with a signature from Kevan Ryan, the university secretary.

Since April 2024, the Students of Alareer Square protest group have conducted multiple demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine, including encampments and disrupting meetings held by members of UoL management.

The group had secured discussions with the University of Liverpool, but have since continued to protest against their engagement with and funding of arms companies supplying materials and weapons to Israeli military groups.

Their demands remain the same, requesting the university to cut ties with these firms, as well as to make more active attempts to provide education to those affected by the conflict in Gaza.

In conversation with The Liverpool Tab, the Students of Alareer square said: “We are appalled by the university management’s response to peaceful protest.

“As students of this university, we have the right to make our voices heard against our university’s complicity in the genocide against the Palestinian people, and should not be subjected to disciplinarias or legal crackdowns as a result of this.

“On Monday night, Israel broke the ceasefire agreement, killing 450+ innocent Palestinians in Gaza. However Liverpool Uni continues to regard companies such as BAE systems – who are responsible for such crimes – as appropriate guests for a careers fair.

“It is shocking that the uni would attempt to paint us as villains while they continue to be complicit in the horrors unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank. They criticise us for disrupting the peace, while their actions disrupt the peace of Palestinians every day”.

In a post shared to their Instagram, the student group have since announced a community Iftar event in Abercromby Square to be held this evening, despite the university’s request for all students to vacate the area.

The University of Liverpool has been contacted for comment.

Feature image via X @drdavidjeffery