Students occupy Glasgow University in protest over Gaza
4 Min Read
In addition to the occupation, three students have begun a hunger strike to escalate pressure on the university to sever ties to 'Israel'.
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Students occupy the Charles Wilson Building at Glasgow University, March 19, 2025 (Social media)
A group of students have occupied the Charles Wilson Building at the University of Glasgow as part of a protest demanding the institution sever ties with the arms industry and enforce an academic boycott on the Israeli occupation and its supporters, The National reported.
The demonstration, involving around 30 students, is part of an ongoing campaign coordinated by the Glasgow University Justice for Palestine Society (GUJPS), a student activist group.
HAPPENING NOW: Students march to stop the shut down of an occupation at Glasgow University by the police.
— Glasgow Stop the War (@GlasgowStopWar) March 19, 2025
The students demand the university divest from all arms companies and stop the repression on campus. pic.twitter.com/AfRggyfRhz
The society argues that the university’s £6.8 million investment in arms companies, including BAE Systems, makes it complicit in war crimes. They specifically cited the killing of Glasgow University alumnus Dima Alhaj and her six-month-old baby in Gaza as evidence of this complicity.
Institutions profiting off Palestinian blood
A Palestinian student participating in the event said, "I’m here today because Western institutions cannot keep profiting off the blood of my people in Palestine with immunity."
"They invest over £6 million in the murderous arms industry – including over £1 million in BAE Systems, which manufactures missile systems for F-35 fighter jets, the same jets Israel used in its genocidal bombardment of Palestinians in Gaza," another student said.
Students of Glasgow University are starting a hunger strike to protest the repression from the university and the resumed genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/nOlIxyy7HO
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) March 19, 2025
In addition to the occupation, three students have begun a hunger strike to escalate pressure on the university.
One hunger striker stated, "The university has shown that it is happy to be complicit in the death and destruction of thousands of Palestinian lives, so we have decided to bring the implications of their decisions to their doorstep."
University safeguards freedom of expression
A University of Glasgow spokesperson responded, saying, "The University of Glasgow upholds the right to freedom of expression, including the right of staff and students to engage in peaceful demonstrations. However, we do not tolerate activities that interfere with the rights of others to go about their business in peace."
Protests erupted across the globe in response to "Israel’s" resumption of airstrikes on Gaza, which have resulted in the killing of at least 400 Palestinians in less than 48 hours and intensified the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Thousands of people in cities worldwide have gathered to demand an end to "Israel's" ongoing genocide in Gaza, calling for international accountability, an end to US and European support for Tel Aviv, and a Free Palestine.
Stop bombing children
In London, protesters gathered outside Downing Street for an emergency rally, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Stop Arming Israel, Free Palestine." Activists also condemned the US and British governments for their complicity in the violence. "What Israel did last night was done with the permission of the US and probably the British government too," one speaker remarked. The rally featured a speech demanding an end to the killing of Palestinian children.
In Manchester, demonstrators expressed unwavering solidarity with Palestine, with banners reading: “Stop Killing Children” and “End the Genocide Now.” For over 15 months, Palestinians in Gaza have faced relentless violence, and Manchester protesters stood firm, calling for an end to the violence and international action to halt the atrocities.
Dublin will witness another emergency protest at Dáil Éireann, where activists are expected to rally outside the Irish parliament, demanding the Irish government impose sanctions on "Israel". Organizers from the Collective Action for Palestine group urged Irish officials to take action in response to the unfolding genocide in Gaza.
