As Blair Simpson-Wise and Peter Hyslop write, Pro-Palestinian students are risking disciplinary action as a University ultimatum to pack up their encampment is ignored.
As Graduation ceremonies loom tomorrow, the University is considering its options as students refuse to abandon a Pro-Palestinian encampment on the Shortland lawn.
It’s understood Security Services removed tents and disposed of some supplies at about 6am on Tuesday, including food. It’s also understood about five students will stay overnight on Tuesday.
Yak has been asked not to name these students. The students named here were present on Monday night.
An ultimatum obtained exclusively by Yak Media describes vague threats of further action for the students refusing to move on.
“Our University has recently directed for the protest encampment, including all tents, signage and equipment, to be packed down and removed by 5pm, Monday, 15 July 2024,” the letter reads, penned by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Professor Kent Anderson.
“As this time has now passed, if you refuse to pack up or leave the encampment, you will be subject to disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the Student Conduct Rule,” the letter said.
“To be clear, any disciplinary action taken will not relate to your right to protest on campus, but rather your refusal to obey a reasonable direction provided by the University,” it said.
Students have told Yak Media specific disciplinary action has not been outlined, and multiple enquiries have not returned much information.
A sign at the Pro-Palestinian encampment at UON
Since the camp was first erected over two months ago, multiple meetings have been held between the University and the protestors to discuss the group’s demands.
But management has only agreed to meet one of three requests that demand the University cut ties with weapons manufacturers linked to the war in Gaza.
Protestors say this isn’t enough.
“We will continue to remain until the university gives us as stakeholders a legitimate shot to voice our opinions,” Leon, a student representative of the encampment, told Yak on Monday.
Encampment posing an “unacceptable risk”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Kent Anderson sent an email to all staff and students last Friday stating the encampment had become an “unacceptable risk” and that protestors were to dismantle it.
“This direction is not intended to limit our students’ right or ability to protest, only to ensure the ongoing wellbeing of our community and University operations,” Professor Anderson said.
Despite being told to pack up their tents and leave the area by 5pm, protestors continued to hold their rally with the encampment intact.
A crowd of about 100 protesters gather on Monday night
Monday night kicked off with live music performed on a makeshift stage in the middle of the camp. Nearly a hundred students, staff, and concerned members of the public gathered to show their support and solidarity. Food Not Bombs passed out meals from a barbeque, while students and staff gave speeches on the state of the war in Gaza and the University evacuation notice.
Associate Professor Sara Motta, an activist and expert in political science at the University, delivered a speech supporting the student protestors.
“I stand here to honour the students who have been occupying for justice, for dignity, for sovereignty against genocide and for an education dedicated to peace and social justice,” she said.
Associate Professor Sara Motta
Other Palestinian solidarity groups in Newcastle, such as Mums of Palestine and the Newcastle Palestinian Action Group, have supported the encampment.
“Students, staff, the broader community, everyone has been fantastic,” Leon said.
Leon at the encampment on Monday
Many attendees carried Palestinian flags and raised signs with messages of protest while chanting, “Free, free Palestine!”.
Billy, a biology student and protestor, has been at the encampment since day one. Over the months, she has found a strong sense of community there. She says if the demands are met, it will make “our place of education a little bit better.”
“Everyone’s so lovely. We all stand for the same cause and it’s been great to be part of a community and sticking up for something that we feel strongly about,” Billy told Yak.
She says many students who are feeling helpless when witnessing the conflict in Gaza have been able to do their part by showing their support for Palestinians by protesting at the encampment.
“We’re still here, we’re still strong,” she said.
A sign at the encampment before it was removed on Tuesday
“If we are still standing by the time this goes out, I really want people to feel comfortable to come up and chat with us.”
Protestors have chained themselves to furniture at the encampment and say they will continue to protest at the remaining tents until the university meets their demands.
Photos by Blair Simpson-Wise.