University of Liverpool threatens Abercromby Square student encampment with court action

The University of Liverpool has delivered a second notice to the students currently occupying Abercromby Square this week, threatening the protesters with “formal court proceedings” following their recent reoccupation of campus.

The encampment has been in place in Abercromby Square since March 19th, organised by students who are protesting against the University of Liverpool’s investment in arms suppliers during the current conflict in Gaza.

The Students of Alareer Square group failed to vacate the area on March 21st, after the university demanded the removal of tents and students from the piece of private land next to the Sydney Jones library.

In a letter handed to the students on Monday, the University of Liverpool demanded for all protesters and tents to be removed from Abercromby Square by April 11th due to safety concerns and “intimidating” behaviour.

The notice highlights “increasing concerns with the health and safety risk presented by the behaviour of those occupying Abercromby Square” and claims that the presence of the students in the area has been deemed “intimidating to some”.

The Students of Alareer Square shared an image of the statement on the group’s Instagram page on Monday.

The group called the communication from the University of Liverpool’s Senior Management team a “senseless letter”.

The request explains that the university “has a responsibility to maintain a safe, effective and welcoming environment for all our students and staff”.

It continues to emphasise that: “While the university recognises the right of students to protest peacefully, the university and its wider community must not be subjected to unreasonable and unlawful disruption and must be allowed to conduct its normal business”.

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Since the reoccupation of Abercromby Square last month, student protesters have hosted multiple teach out events and community gatherings, many of which aimed to celebrate Ramadan amongst the university’s community.

Tents and gazebos remain in the area, despite the university insisting that they “are situated on private land owned by the university”.

The University of Liverpool’s notice to the occupiers of Abercromby Square addresses “complaints that your [the group’s] presence is intimidating to some and interferes with others’ ability to peacefully enjoy the square”.

“The university has increasing concerns with the health and safety risk presented by the behaviour of those occupying Abercromby Square.

“Occupiers are believed to have accessed roof space on one of the campus buildings, causing damage to the roof while affixing a banner to chimney stacks”.

The letter then goes on to say: “The university is not prepared to tolerate the continued occupation of Abercromby Square and requires you to vacate the square by 11th April 2025.

“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.

“Any tents that appear to be abandoned will also be removed”.

The notice then concludes with the university’s Senior Management team threatening the Students of Alareer Square group with legal actions. Addressed directly to the protesters, the university iterates there is “no alternative” and failure to vacate the area will result in “formal court proceedings”.

It reads: “Please note that this is the final notice that the university will issue calling for you to vacate the square.

“If you fail to vacate the square by 11th April 2025 the university will be left with no alternative but to issue formal court proceedings to recover possession and will thereafter move to do so at the earliest opportunity.

“The university reserves all its legal rights and remedies accordingly”.

A spokesperson from the University of Liverpool told The Liverpool Tab that “Abercromby Square is private land and a popular green space which can be reasonably used by members of our community for a variety of activities, with the appropriate permissions and risk assessments in place.

“We respect the right of our staff and students to protest about any issue, peacefully and lawfully, but this must be balanced against safeguarding the university’s activities and operations. The university has not given permission for the square to be used in this way and the current occupation makes the space inaccessible to others”.

The university spokesperson also emphasised concerns that the protesting students are posing health and safety risks.

“The university has increasing concerns with the health and safety risk presented by the behaviour of those occupying Abercromby Square. It is believed that they accessed roof space on one of our nearby campus buildings last week.

“We have therefore formally written to the protestors for a second time to ask that they vacate the square in order that it can be returned to normal use, for the benefit of everyone in our community”.

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.

The Students of Alareer Square has been contacted for comment.

Featured images via Instagram @lvrpool_enc