"This fight will continue": Pro-Palestine students and staff occupy QUB's Lanyon Building
Kirsty King
Pro-Palestinian students and staff at Queen’s University Belfast occupied the entrance to the Lanyon Building today.
The occupation was in solidarity with student demonstrations across the world, including the student encampment taking place at Trinity College Dublin.
One of today’s protestors said “The sit-in was a successful demonstration in the power we have as students, staff and alumni in the face of QUB’s in-action over the genocide in Gaza.”
“It was an act of protest which aligned with our unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine and their right to liberation and self determination, as well as our support for all those currently facing repression in resisting the structures which keep Palestinians oppressed.”
“The sit-in involved a diverse mixture of solidarity groups from within the University taking part, using their democratic right to give speeches, sing songs and magnify our messages of encouragement to those who continue to fight for Palestine.”
The protest was organised by the QUB Palestine Assembly, which has issued a series of demands for the University to take action on the Middle East conflict.
These demands are as follows:
1. Issue a statement condemning Israel’s mass killing of Palestinians and the deliberate destruction of Gaza’s educational infrastructure.
2. Demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and ensure unhindered access to aid for Gaza.
3. Offer sanctuary status to Palestinian academics and students and commit to investing in the restoration of Palestinian education.
4. Review all ties with Israeli universities, cultural institutions and collaborations involving the Israeli industrial sector.
5. Adopt ethical institution investment policies that would include divestment from all holdings in companies associated with arms manufacture.
6. Implement a sector wide BDS policy advocating for the withdrawal of support from companies engaged in violations of Palestinian human rights.
The sit-in was attended by People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, who said “I think it’s very, very important that they’ve done this.”
“Hopefully the students can force management to act.”
“This place, as many universities do, has a history of people standing up against oppression and these students are following their friends and fellow students in America and at Trinity [College, Dublin].”
“I want to commend them and extend whatever solidarity I can to them.”
A Queen’s University spokesperson has said the University is “committed to freedom of expression, the right to hold a range of views, and the promotion and protection of the right to protest.”
“This applies to our students, academics and professional staff, and indeed the wider public.”
“During recent months, we have met individuals and representatives of many organisations, including trade unions, students’ unions and many other interest groups.”
“We have had constructive discussions, listened to concerns and ideas, and exchanged views in an atmosphere of mutual respect, with a genuine desire to find solutions and common ground on a range of issues, and we will continue to do so.”
“We accept there are different views on the Middle East. Queen's University is committed to freedom of thought and expression for students and staff within a framework of respect for the rights of other persons.”
“While we will recognise and defend the right to protest and have voices heard, in a respectful and legal way, it is essential that those who want to go about their normal business on campus can freely and safely do so without interference.”
While today’s occupation has now ended, those taking part say protests will continue: “This fight will continue throughout the summer break, into the new academic year and for as long as it takes for the university to listen to those who demand action to stop Palestinian slaughter.”
Kirsty King is an MA Journalism Student at Ulster University