Queen Mary University students join global movement in support of Gaza
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Students at Queen Mary University in the UK have begun their own encampment as they demanded the university both divest and boycott all "Israel"-linked companies.
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Queen Mary Students set up an encampment in solidarity with Palestine on May 13, 2024. (QMUL Palestine Solidarity)
In solidarity with the Gaza Strip, students at Queen Mary University in London have set up an encampment and demanded the university's full divestment from "Israel"-linked companies.
Just outside the central building, a number of tents were erected and the space was occupied by students before citizens, in the vicinity, joined them.
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
Protesters, students, and citizens alike, then shouted slogans like "Stop bombing Palestine", "Stop arming Israel", and "Hands off Rafah."
According to Andalou Agency, one student said, "We are not happy with the complicity, with the way that our staff have dealt with things...We've decided that enough is enough," adding​​​​​​​ "We're all taking comfort in the fact that we know that we're doing the right thing regardless. So even if we are penalized, there is still honor and standing up for what's right."
📢📢Queen Mary Liberated Zone for Gaza: Day 2 Schedule📢📢
— Queen Mary Palestine Solidarity (@QMULPalestine) May 14, 2024
If you can only do one thing today, please join this rally later this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/qd7G50djRh
Student protests push Trinity College Dublin to divest from 'Israel'
Earlier, the pro-Palestine student protests at Trinity College Dublin led the university to pledge to cut ties with Israeli companies, ending the five-day encampment set by students.
On the night of May 8, the student leaders emerged victorious of a campaign that disrupted the university campus and blocked access to the Book of Kells.
In its statement, the university said that senior management made a deal with the students, adding that "Trinity will complete a divestment from investments in Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN blacklist."
"Trinity will endeavor to divest from investments in other Israeli companies," it announced.
The university added that its list has one Israeli company that will have to stay until March 2025 based on the contract.
It also announced that it will grant places to six postgraduate and two undergraduate students from Gaza, adding that "All fees have been waived for these scholars and Trinity will use its Sanctuary Fund to provide accommodation."
They also launched a new task force with student and staff representatives to review the university's student exchange with "Israel".
Read more: Global uprisings for Gaza: The moral triumph of student revolts
