Inspired by pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the United States, students at Sydney University have established an encampment on campus. The encampment, which sprung up on Tuesday night, features tents and banners with slogans such as “from the river to the sea” and “Columbia First, USYD next.” The students are demanding that the university cut ties with Israeli universities and arms manufacturers. The Sydney University encampment is only the second international protest and first in Australia since the demonstrations began in the US. Student organizer Jasmine Al-Rawi stated that the protesters are “just getting started” and will remain at the campsite outside the university’s quadrangle building. The encampment has remained in place on Wednesday, with several hundred staff and students joining a rally and march through the university. Sydney University has warned staff and students that it will not hesitate to take “firm and decisive disciplinary action” against anyone found breaching the institution’s acceptable conduct policies. Acting Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Annamarie Jagose emphasized the university’s commitment to peaceful protest but condemned racism, threats to safety, hate speech, and other forms of harassment. Protests at US colleges began at Columbia University on April 17th and have quickly spread to other institutions, including New York University, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and The New School. Last week, Columbia University called in police to clear an encampment on the main lawn, leading to the arrest of over 100 students on trespassing charges. Columbia and the affiliated Barnard College have suspended dozens of students involved in the protests. The protests follow Israel’s attacks on the Hamas-controlled Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities report over 34,000 casualties during the seven-month war. Israel claims to be seeking to eradicate Hamas following an attack by the militant group on October 7th that killed 1200 and took 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Sydney University student organizers view their encampment as a continuation of a long tradition of student activism in the fight for social justice and progressive causes. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin expressed concern about the scenes from US protests, noting reports of Jewish students feeling marginalized and excluded on campus. Sydney University has a responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of all students, including those who may feel threatened or harassed by the protests.
Sydney University Students Join Global Protests in Solidarity with Palestine
