Gaza Solidarity Encampments in Britain and the North of Ireland
by
Notes from Below (@NotesFrom_Below)
May 2, 2024
Reports from campus organising for Palestine
bulletins
Gaza Solidarity Encampments in Britain and the North of Ireland
by
Notes from Below
/
May 2, 2024
Reports from campus organising for Palestine
Almost a month after the Gaza Solidarity Encampment was set up in Columbia University on 17 April, a slew of universities in Britain and the North of Ireland have followed suit. Starting with the University of Warwick in late April, eight universities have established solidarity encampments for Gaza, pressing their institutions for divestment. Most of these encampments were erected as part of the global day of action for Palestine on May Day, joining numerous solidarity actions such as Workers for a Free Palestine’s blockades of the UK Trade Department in London and BAE Systems’ arms factories in Scotland, Wales and Lancashire.
University of Warwick
Students at the University of Warwick started an encampment on the Piazza on campus on the 26th of April.
PIAZZA OCCUPIED. As the @uniofwarwick continues to reject our demands to cut ties with genocide, we rise up in unison with fellow students all over the world, from Columbia, NYC, to Paris, to Sydney. We say no business as usual as long as Warwick sponsors colonial genocide! pic.twitter.com/mySp24txV8
— Warwick Stands With Palestine (@wwkstandspal) April 26, 2024
University of Bristol
Students at the University of Bristol started an encampment on Royal Fort Gardens on the 1st of May.
Students of the University of Bristol have established an encampment jn protest of the university's complicity in Israel's genocide of Palestinians. Come join us at Royal Fort Gardens! #FreePalestine #UniversityofBristol #ArmsOffCampus pic.twitter.com/3I9qU1PTf1
— Bristol Students Occupy 4 Palestine 🇵🇸🍉 (@Brisoccupy4pal) May 1, 2024
University of Leeds
Students at the University of Leeds started an encampment on campus on the 1st of May.
Solidarity with students at the Uni of Leeds who have started an encampment on campus. ✊ pic.twitter.com/I8MKRGZiWd
— Dr Alex Fitzpatrick (@ArchaeologyFitz) May 1, 2024
University of Newcastle
Students at the University of Newcastle started an encampment on campus on the 1st of May.
Encampment underway in Newcastle. #MayDay4Palestine #StopArmingIsrael @ucu pic.twitter.com/oRfOE1gYKr
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) May 1, 2024
University of Manchester
Students at the University of Manchester started an encampment at Brunswick Park on campus on the 1st of May. On the 25th of May, they then escalated their action by occupying Whitworth Hall.
Manchester Camp of Resistance for Palestine is occupying Brunswick Park! The University of Manchester is complicit in Gaza genocide. Their ties with Zionist institutions and weapons manufacturers must end now.
— Manchester Leftist Action (@mcrleftaction) May 1, 2024
Join and support the student camp! Free Palestine!@_YFFP_ pic.twitter.com/AFJsNKy3V6
University of Sheffield
Students at the University of Sheffield started an encampment on campus on the 1st of May.
People in Sheffield! @sheffielduni is now occupied in protest of the university's links with arms manufacturers. Come down and show your support ❤️#freefree pic.twitter.com/vwsI098c3H
— Anna (@Annapurnamenon) May 1, 2024
Swansea University
Students at Swansea University started an encampment on campus on the 1st of May.
Swansea pic.twitter.com/LKfrvEN8NX
— merrily 🏴 🏴 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 :f (@merrily575617) May 1, 2024
Goldsmiths, University of London
Students at Goldsmiths have been occupying university buildings, including the library from the 1st until 3rd of May.
goldsmiths camping out in the library pic.twitter.com/GcexfIKdb5
— gar legend james bond (@not_crime_twinc) May 1, 2024
They ended their second occupation on 3rd of May after reaching an agreement with university management around their demands.
📣VICTORY FOR PALESTINE AT GOLDSMITHS📣
— G4P 🇵🇸 (@Gold4Palestine) May 3, 2024
Goldsmiths management has conceded to Goldsmiths for Palestine demands‼️
We have won the first undergraduate Palestinian scholarships at a British university and huge wins on all of our other demands. pic.twitter.com/VFjTdrBCZA
University College London
Students at UCL have been occupying buildings and started an encampment on the UCL campus on the 2nd of May.
BREAKING: University College London (UCL) has begun an encampment on campus for Gaza.
— Areeb Ullah (@are_eb) May 2, 2024
UCL is the alma mater of the late poet and academic Refaat Alareer.
Key demands from students include divesting from “Israeli war crimes” and pledge to rebuild Gaza’s universities. pic.twitter.com/fkf6hDNwY7
During a demonstration on the 4th of May, 4 Palestine supporters from Camden Friends of Palestine were arrested outside the student encampment.
Our people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act for artwork depicting a universally recognised symbol of peace at UCL's protest camp. This is an outrageous escalation of politically motivated state repression against peace activists. We demand their immediate release! pic.twitter.com/HlwLB1X8iF
— Camden Friends of Palestine (@CamdenPalestine) May 4, 2024
University of Edinburgh
Students at the University of Edinburgh have been involved in an encampment outside the parliament buildings. Then, on the 5th of May, students started an encampment at Old College on campus.
🚨STUDENT ENCAMPMENT AT OLD COLLEGE🇵🇸
— Edinburgh Justice for Palestine (@eu_jps) May 5, 2024
We have taken over Old College to demand divestment and an end to the colonial legacy of the Lord Arthur Balfour, previous chancellor at the University of Edinburgh. COME JOIN.
University of Cambridge
Students at Cambridge started an encampment on campus on the 6th of May, outside King’s College.
— Cambridge for Palestine (@cam4palestine) May 6, 2024
On 15th of May, they escalated by starting a second solidarity encampment on the Senate House lawn.
On the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, and amidst an ongoing Nakba, we remain steadfast in our solidarity with the Palestinians resisting Israel.
— Cambridge for Palestine (@cam4palestine) May 15, 2024
The University of Cambridge has failed to meet our demands.
We are escalating.
New encampment on Senate House now! pic.twitter.com/TRgqLjCXbs
University of Oxford
Students at Oxford started an encampment on the lawn of the University of Oxford Pitt Rivers Museum on the 6th of May.
BREAKING: Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) has established a liberated zone 🇵🇸 (1/2) pic.twitter.com/rWStCuSSXS
— Oxford Action for Palestine (@OxAct4Pal) May 6, 2024
University of Aberdeen
Students in Aberdeen started an encampment on Elphinstone lawn on 6th of May.
uni of aberdeen's palestine solidarity encampment has been erected on elphinstone lawn. organisers plan to stay until their demands are met ✊🇵🇸🍉🏴 pic.twitter.com/7GGd6cCiRw
— georgia (@grahntaire) May 6, 2024
University of Liverpool
Students in Liverpool started an encampment on Abercromby Square on the 6th of May.
Proud of our @LivUni and @LivUniPol students occupying Abercromby Square ! @Livfop #StudentsForPalestine 🇵🇸🍉🍉 pic.twitter.com/vuWr9RAQZf
— Dr Amal Abu-Bakare (@nawalabu_72) May 6, 2024
SOAS
Students at SOAS set up the “SOAS Liberated Zone” on the SOAS Green after a 200-strong demonstration on 6th of May.
BREAKING: Occupation in solidarity with Palestine begins at SOAS pic.twitter.com/RF7Wg3Ww8x
— Revolutionary Socialism in the 21st Century (@revsoc21) May 6, 2024
Queen’s University Belfast
On 7th of May, students occupied the main Lanyon building at Queens University Belfast, putting six demands towards the university management.
Breaking news
— John Barry is part of UCU Rising (@ProfJohnBarry) May 7, 2024
Students have just occupied the main Lanyon Building at @QUBelfast in solidarity with the Palestinian people
QUB Palestine Assembly demands are below pic.twitter.com/ZOrgFjcksr
Bangor
On 8th of May, students at Bangor University in Wales started a solidarity encampment on the front lawn of the Pontio building.
spent my day at the Bangor Uni Encampment. Brilliant stuff and hopefully the demands will be met! Divest for Palestine!!
— emily💚🍉 (@emmystardis) May 8, 2024
Free Palestine forever 🇵🇸❤️pop down tomorrow if you are around! ✊🏻🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/OYI0VL6IO9
University of Birmingham
On 9th of May, students at the University of Birmingham started a solidarity encampment on the Green Heart, with five demands directed at their university management. It has been backed by both the Birmingham UCU and UNISON branches.
University of Birmingham Encampment Coalition for Palestine has launched!
— Bham Liberated (@BhamLiberated) May 9, 2024
As the situation in Gaza escalates, so too does the global student movement towards establishing lasting peace and liberating Palestine ✊️🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/GI7174VXsP
University of Leicester
Students at the University of Leicester set up a solidarity encampment at their university on 9th of May. They were immediately endorsed by the local UCU branch.
Leicester University students have launched an encampment for Palestine. Couldn't be more proud! pic.twitter.com/WPaYwlPpBL
— Joseph Choonara (@jchoonara) May 9, 2024
Lancaster
Students at Lancaster University set up a solidarity encampment in Alexandra Square on 9th of May.
Lancaster University's encampment against genocide is in Alexandra Square. ☺️ Students need donations of food, drinks and powerbanks (but cash will also do nicely)🍉 🍉 🍉 pic.twitter.com/7cQ8lmM6M1
— Deborah Sutton 😊 (@DebsSutton) May 9, 2024
Durham
On 10th of May, students at Durham University set up the “Durham Liberated Zone” on the Palace Green lawn.
🚨BREAKING- Durham University students have set up an encampment on Palace Green in solidarity with Gaza pic.twitter.com/BosWgGYgK6
— Loujane لوجين (@loujanealasi) May 10, 2024
University of Kent
Students at the University of Kent started a solidarity encampment on 10th of May.
University of Kent students have begun their Gaza Solidarity Encampment on this beautifully sunny Jummah afternoon! If you’re in Kent/Canterbury please show up to support ❤️🔥🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/oOpuFVKrAB
— Anamika (@walking_killjoy) May 10, 2024
University of Nottingham
Students at the University of Nottingham started a solidarity encampment on the Jubilee campus on 11th of May.
🏹🇵🇸 UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM ENCAMPMENT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE HAS BEGUN! 🇵🇸🏹
— Nottingham Camp for the Liberation of Palestine (@NottsPalCamp) May 11, 2024
✊ DISCLOSE. DIVEST. SUPPORT. INVEST. ✊
Come down to the Advanced Manufacturing Building on Jubilee Campus to support the camp!
🧵/3 pic.twitter.com/vzmBVU9oTj
University of Lincoln
On 13th of May, students at the University of Lincoln set up a “decolonised zone” in solidarity with Gaza outside the Lincoln Art’s Centre, renaming it “Refaat Square”.
University of Sussex
On 13th of May, students at the University of Sussex launched a Gaza solidarity encampment in Library Square, renaming it “Liberation Square”.
💥💥💥 BREAKING!
— Brighton PSC (@BrightonPSC) May 13, 2024
Students at Sussex Uni have just joined the global movement & set up camp for Palestine!
Library Square has now been renamed "Liberation Square".
Get down & support them on the Falmer campus & join their welcome dinner at 6pm 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/JXiAsW671n
Queen Mary University of London
On 13th of May, after a mass demonstration, students at Queen Mary University of London launched a Gaza solidarity encampment.
Queen Mary Students have just set up an encampment in solidarity with Palestine.
— Queen Mary Palestine Solidarity (@QMULPalestine) May 13, 2024
More details to follow... pic.twitter.com/A4rB6htjM9
Kings College London
On 13th of May, students at KCL set up a Gaza solidarity encampment on their campus.
... @KingsCollegeLon encampment is up and running!!!
— Rafeef Ziadah (@RafeefZiadah) May 13, 2024
Disclose - divest. pic.twitter.com/t6XzXPks42
Penryn Campus
On 13th of May, students at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall, used by both Falmouth University and University of Exeter, set up a solidarity encampment outside The Exchange.
University of Exeter
This was followed on 14th of May, with students at the University of Exeter’s main campus setting up the “Exeter Liberated Zone” on the Queen’s Drive Green, putting forward four demands to their university management.
Exeter Liberated Zone pic.twitter.com/KhG90owXL4
— Laleh Khalili 🇵🇸 (@LalehKhalili) May 14, 2024
LSE
On 14th of May, after a mass student-staff assembly to release their “LSE Assets in Apartheid” report, LSE students occupied the Marshall Building, setting up a Palestine solidarity encampment inside.
BREAKİNG
— Ayça Çubukçu (@ayca_cu) May 14, 2024
LSE students OCCUPY Marshall Building in solidarity with Palestine and set up an encampment pic.twitter.com/bNH75Q2mDh
University of York
On 15th of May, students at the University of York set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in front of Heslington Hall.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
— York Palestine Encampment (@y_palestine) May 15, 2024
Students at the University of York launch their solidarity encampment to call on the institution to cut ties with genocidal Israel and to support Palestinian freedom🇵🇸✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/oijpAXbKO4
Cardiff University
On 15th of May, students at Cardiff University set up a Gaza solidarity encampment.
The Cardiff University student encampment has begun! 🚨
— Black Lives Matter Cardiff&Vale (@BLMCardiff) May 14, 2024
Victory to the students! Free Palestine! 🇵🇸📣 pic.twitter.com/L0MYtXNY47
UAL
UAL students occupied the reception area of their Central Saint Martins campus in solidarity with Palestine on 15th of May. This happened after a protest outside UAL’s High Holborn head offices earlier in the day.
University of Portsmouth
On 20th of May, students at the University of Portsmouth started a Gaza solidarity encampment in Ravelin Park.
University of Reading
On 20th of May, students at the University of Reading started a Gaza solidarity encampment.
Encampment at Reading University started today. @UniofReading @PSCupdates pic.twitter.com/uK5L2fjPsv
— East Berkshire PSC🇵🇸 (@sloughpsc) May 20, 2024
Aston
Students at Aston University started a Gaza solidarity encampment on 21st of May, putting forward eight demands to their university’s senior management.
Students have launched the Aston University Encampment for Palestine🇵🇸, in an escalated effort to pressure the university to terminate its partnerships and links with the State of Israel whilst it continues to commit genocide
— Aston For Palestine (@Aston4palestine) May 21, 2024
DISCLOSE. DIVEST. WE WILL NOT STOP WE WILL NOT REST🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/PC2X01yGxS
Imperial College London
Students at Imperial College London set up a Gaza solidarity encampment after a mass rally on 23rd of May.
BREAKING: Imperial College London students set up a Gaza encampment today, demanding divestment from their university from companies complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/77NE4rBQjA
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) May 23, 2024
Updating this list
If you are part of a student encampment or want to add another entry, please contact us. We are keen to update the list and add reports where possible.
author
Notes from Below (@NotesFrom_Below)
Subscribe to Notes from Below
Subscribe now to Notes from Below, and get our print issues sent to your front door three times a year. For every subscriber, we’re also able to print a load of free copies to hand out in workplaces, neighbourhoods, prisons and picket lines. Can you subscribe now and support us in spreading Marxist ideas in the workplace?