‘Blood on your hands’: Pro-Palestine protestors deface Lancaster University entrance

The Lancaster University entrance sign was defaced in the early hours of Friday morning.

The graffiti, which includes the phrase “blood on your hands”, comes in response to Lancaster University’s continued partnership with British Aerospace Systems (BAE), a manufacturer of weapon systems used by Israel in Gaza.

The Demilitarise Lancaster group created a post about the graffiti, including a video documenting the action.

The graffiti is a demonstration to the thousands of incoming post-16 students that will be visiting the campus to learn about the UK’s universities.

Accompanying the video was a caption explaining the motivation for the action:

“On Friday morning, an autonomous group of people targeted Lancaster University, ahead of its University Fair. They felt it was necessary to inform prospective students about where their money is being spent.”

View this post on Instagram

Most Read

Good lord, Bonnie Blue opened up about what Beavo was like in bed and I’m traumatised

Dave dated another MAFS Australia 2025 bride before the show and you’ll never guess who

Omg, Sam Thompson is now dating this Love Islander following Zara McDermott split?!

A post shared by Demilitarise Lancaster (@noarmslancs)

The groups further added: “BAE Systems is an arms company that works with terrorist state Israel and provides parts to the F-35 fighter jet which are used to burn Palestinians alive. Lancaster University’s partnership with BAE legitimises an unethical and genocidal company.”

Members later expressed discontent at the partnership between the university and the manufacturer, saying: “LU even encourages students to go work for BAE and other similar companies – companies that profit in the death of others.”

The protestors finished the statement calling for individuals to stand up against “our complicit governments and international institutions” and put “Palestine first” before university profits.

BAE Systems and Lancaster University have been in a partnership since 2012. They have since developed programmes mutually benefiting each institution for research and employment.

Yet since the October 7th Attacks in 2023 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, a number of Lancaster University students have called for the cease of the partnership due to BAE System’s role in supplying weapons to Israel resulting in the deaths of many Gaza civilians. This resulted in an active Alexandra Square encampment, banner drops at University speeches and sit-in protests; some of which were met with force by campus security.

Demilitarise Lancaster have continued to be active protestors since the university shutdown of the Alexandra Square encampment in June 2024.

The solidarity groups have held both vocal and silent protests in central campus throughout the year, continuing to call an end to the BAE partnership.

A Lancaster University spokesperson said: “The University is committed to upholding the right to freedom of speech for our staff and students and enabling them to peacefully protest within the law.

“Our work with BAE Systems underpins a range of activities and deepens our engagement with regional business, enhancing growth and opportunity.  We also support our academics’ freedom to identify and associate with legitimate organisations as part of their research activity and for our students to make their own informed choices about where they work. This academic freedom is supported by University policy and forms part of our regulatory and legal obligations.

“Our investment policy, entered into through close working with the Students’ Union, works with funds that do not investment in arms companies and the University does not hold any investments in BAE.

“Universities are places for people to express their views and listen to those of others – including those they do not agree with.”

BAE Systems was contacted but has not yet responded.

Featured image via @noarmslancs on Instagram.