‘They brutalised us’: University of Birmingham staff allegedly ‘pushed and pulled’ students

Students at the University of Birmingham have claimed that university-hired security tore up their Palestine flags and destroyed their tents from a freshers meet and greet.

The pro-Palestine students also allege they have been injured by unidentified security staff and bailiffs.

Whilst a previous court order had brought an end to the pro-Palestine encampments in July, the student-staff coalition, BhamLiberatedZone, has continued “peacefully protesting against a genocide”, according to one student who spoke to The Canary.

On Monday 23rd September, the students put up around 15 tents on campus for the freshers week meet and greet, planning to leave by 5pm. They claimed they maintained anonymity after repeated attempts by the university to uncover and expel Pro-Palestine students involved in the encampment. 

One of the students, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We wanted to have a physical presence and meet some new students, talk about the uni’s complicity in genocide, and the companies they invest in—stuff like that.”

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A post shared by Student-Staff Coalition for Palestine at UoB🇵🇸 (@bhamliberatedzone)

However, according to students, it took less than 10 minutes for security to arrive and to disrupt their plans.

The student recounted: “Security brutalised us. They pushed and pulled us. A few of us ended up with cuts and bruises. Some people got really scared and ran away. We were told repeatedly by security that we have crossed red lines and we will be expelled if they find out who we are, but we always cover our hair and faces”

Another student said: “The sight of campus security ripping up Palestine flags and pulling tents away from their own students in public view was truly horrifying to witness. We were terrified of what they might do to us, but our righteous anger was greater than any fear they could instil. This harassment of students peacefully protesting against a genocide will forever be a shame on the University of Birmingham.”

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A post shared by Student-Staff Coalition for Palestine at UoB🇵🇸 (@bhamliberatedzone)

The following day, the students set up five tents and organised a picnic complete with food, music, and talks about Palestine. This time, they were able to stay for a few more hours before bailiffs arrived and warned them if they did not leave within 20 minutes that they would be removed from the premises.

A student told The Canary: “Everyone stayed in the tents, and the bailiffs eventually forced us off the grass, although they were less violent than the security on Monday. Security told us that, because we were resisting the bailiffs, they’d called the police.”

A spokesperson from the University of Birmingham told The Tab: “The University has a Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, and we will always support protests and demonstrations to go ahead, provided they are lawful and requested in line with the Code. This seeks to protect the rights of all in the University community, including those protesting. The group has been made aware of this, but has not made any request to protest under the Code.

“As well as disrupting activities to welcome new and returning students for the new term, setting up tents on campus is unlawful and in breach of the possession order granted by the High Court to the University in July. The group were made aware of this and given notice to allow them to leave voluntarily before any enforcement.”

Featured image via Instagram

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