Glasgow Uni students set up pro-Palestine encampment calling for arms industry divestment

University of Glasgow students have set up a pro-Palestine encampment calling for arms industry divestment.

The encampment is on  University Avenue and protestors have declared that they will remain there until the uni commits to severing ties with the arms industry.

At 2pm today, hundreds of students gathered outside the university library for a demonstration organised by the Glasgow University Justice for Palestine Society (GUJPS) and Glasgow Against Fossil Fuels and Arms (GAAFF).

The rally expressed support for five students currently on the sixth day of hunger strike. Following the protest, students marched down University Avenue and set up tents on the lawn.

The encampment is the latest action in an ongoing campaign by GUJPS, which calls on the University to divest from arms companies and end research partnerships with them. According to GUJPS, the University has £6.8 million in investments in arms companies.

via GAAF

A Palestinian student participating in the encampment stated: “As students of conscience, we’re here to hold this university accountable and show them that no repressive action they take will deter us from fighting for Palestinian liberation.”

Another student added: “Enough is enough. We will not leave until the University makes a firm, public commitment to divest from [arms] companies.”

The University rector, Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, also voiced his support for the students. He has further spoken out about Hannah Taylor, a student who has been banned from attended lectures on campus. She is currently under investigation for spray-painting the JMS.

He said: “On 6th February, Hannah Taylor and another student sprayed Glasgow University with water-soluble paint to protest the University’s refusal to divest from the arms trade – where the institution holds £6.8m worth of shares.

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“Since then, Hannah has been banned from campus, denying her access to her lectures, tutorials and possibly her exams.

“This disproportionate and authoritarian response is in keeping with a concerted effort to crack down on student activism for Palestine on campuses around the globe.”

Student demands

The demonstrators have outlined the following demands:

• Divestment from arms: The University Court must vote to end all investments in arms companies.
• End research partnerships: The University should terminate research partnerships with arms companies across its schools, including engineering, physics, astronomy, chemistry, and mathematics.
• Policy changes: Implement a ban on arms companies participating in campus recruitment events and prohibit speakers supporting the state of Israel from events on campus.
• End repressive measures: The University should lift the campus ban on student activist Hannah Taylor and ensure no disciplinary actions are taken against students engaging in peaceful protest.

Recent university actions and responses

Last week, approximately 25 students from GUJPS occupied the Charles Wilson Building, demanding divestment. University officials called the police to campus, leading to blocked entrances and the prevention of food and water reaching protesters. Activists reported threats of arrests during the occupation.

A student involved in the protest said to The Glasgow Tab: “The police have been called onto campus every day for the past three days. This escalation shows the University’s refusal to engage with students on the issue of divestment. The lack of communication with hunger strikers also raises concerns about student welfare.”

The University of Glasgow has yet to release an official statement in response to the latest protest actions and encampment.

A previous comment given by the university to The Glasgow Tab is as follows: “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 unlawful activities which interfere with the rights of others to go about their business in peace.”

The University of Glasgow was approached for further comment.

Featured images via GAAFF