More than 150 University of Newcastle (UoN) students and supporters rallied to defend the Palestine solidarity encampment from being shut down on July 15.
UoN management had threatened students in an eviction letter to UoN Students for Palestine on July 12 to close the encampment by 5pm.聽
The letter, signed by deputy vice-chancellor Kent Anderson, claimed that the university supported students鈥 right to protest, but that the encampment threatened 鈥渢he ongoing wellbeing of our university community and safe operations鈥.
The UoN encampment has stood for 64 days, the longest-running encampment in Australia and potentially internationally, demanding the university disclose and cut ties with weapons companies and Israeli institutions.
Student organiser Louis Roger told 91自拍论坛 that while the university had had some negotiations with the encampment, it had been 鈥渘othing but theatre on their part鈥.聽
鈥淲hen we presented our demands, backed by the university鈥檚 own sustainable development goals, we were told our demands were too radical to achieve,鈥 he said.聽
In response to the threats to the encampment, students organised their defence by holding a celebratory rally and barbecue ahead of the 5pm deadline.聽
Students decided to maintain the encampment beyond the deadline but, at 6am on July 16, security showed up and started tearing down tents they claimed were unoccupied.
Security left when Awabakal Gaewegal Elder Auntie Tracy Hanshaw told them they had 鈥渘o right to be doing this鈥.
The university sent out another letter on July 16, threatening disciplinary action for students who remain at the encampment. It claimed disciplinary action would 鈥渘ot relate to your right to protest on campus, but rather your refusal to obey a reasonable direction provided by the university鈥.
Students were not deterred, however: Four chained themselves to a large couch at the encampment and refuse to leave. A video was posted on the UoN Students for Palestine Instagram of the students chanting 鈥淲e shall not be moved鈥.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been on the lounge for two hours, security came in and started taking everything down,鈥 student and staff member Parker Best told the Newcastle Herald. 鈥淲e鈥檝e chained ourselves up to the couch and we鈥檝e chained the couch to the tree because we thought they might lift us out.鈥
More students are remaining at the encampment to protect it from further management attacks.聽