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Oxford and Cambridge students have set up encampments on the grass in front of their respective establishments in solidarity with Gaza.
The pro-Palestine supporters at Oxford pitched up their tents this morning outside the Pitt Rivers Museum, which they claim holds ‘a disturbing hoard of artefacts stolen from colonised peoples across the world’.
Similarly in coordination with organisers at Cambridge, students have set up a base on the lawn of King’s College because the university ‘supports Israel‘s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza’.
Both groups are saying they ‘will not rest until their demands are met’, with study tents, toilet facilities, and food making areas already in place.
OXFORD: Oxford students have set up encampment outside the Pitt Rivers Museum, which they claim holds ‘a disturbing hoard of artefacts stolen from colonised peoples across the world’
OXFORD: They say ‘will not rest until their demands are met’, with study tents, toilet facilities, and food making areas already in place
The action comes after weeks of protests in American universities, with dozens of students arrested at the University of Virginia this morning. Pictured: Protesters at Oxford chanting
The action comes after weeks of protests in American universities, with dozens of students arrested at the University of Virginia this morning.
The growing number of demonstrations have led to ‘serious’ government concerns that the campus protests could escalate to violence as witnessed in the US.
At Oxford protest leaders, who have named their camp a ‘Liberated Zone’ have pinned up a board with a list of six demands to university chiefs, including to ‘boycott Israeli genocide, apartheid and occupation’, to ‘disclose all finances’, ‘stop banking with Barclays’, help rebuild Gaza’s education system and ‘divest from Israeli genocide, apartheid and occupation’.
Alongside this they have argued that ‘Oxford men orchestrate occupation’, specifically blaming Alfred Milner and Cecil Rhodes, and that ‘Oxford men facilitate genocide’.
In a video published on X the group at Oxford can be heard chanting: ‘ We are the people. We will not be silenced. Stop the bombing now now now.’
Oxford and Cambridge University have been approached for comment.
This followers other Russell Group universities including Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle have pitched tents and erected anti-Israel signs as they call for an end to military action in the Gaza strip.
Students from Manchester University filled nearby Brunswick Park with banners, plaques and Palestinian flags to call for the university to ‘end it’s partnership with systems which support Israel’.
CAMBRIDGE: students have set up a base on the lawn of King’s College because the university ‘supports Israel ‘s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza’
CAMBRIDGE: The growing number of demonstrations have led to ‘serious’ government concerns that the campus protests could escalate to violence as witnessed in the US
One banner read: ‘UOM blood on your hands’, while another claimed: ‘UOM supports Israeli Genocide.’
In Bristol, hand-painted banners were erected between tents, emblazoned with messages of defiance as students lobbied their university to cut ties with arms companies and back calls for a ceasefire as the war rages on in the Levant.
Large crowds have also been forming in Newcastle, as students say their protest will ‘highlight the institution’s investment strategy and its complicity in the Israeli military’s war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank’.
At Newcastle University campers were entertained by a Palestinian DJ and received regular food supplies, as well as being given vouchers for free drinks at the university bar.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said police will ‘have our full support’ to tackle potential disorder if students attempt to replicate the violent demonstrations recently seen at US university campuses.
The Jewish community leaders urged universities to shut down encampments over fears Jewish students may be ‘harassed and excluded’.
The spokesman for No 10 said: ‘We have always been clear that Jewish students must feel safe on campuses and whilst our universities rightfully pride themselves on their openness and tolerance and diversity it is obviously absolutely clear that any antisemitism shouldn’t be tolerated.
‘We’ve always been clear that people have a right to peaceful and lawful protest but clearly people shouldn’t abuse that right to intimidate others, cause unnecessary disruption.
‘Obviously the police already have extensive public order powers to tackle disorder at protests and will continue to have our full support in doing so if needed.’