Pro-Palestinian Activists Remove ANU Encampment Amid Deadline

Students barricade the Gaza Solidarity encampment on the campus of the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, Australia, on May 27, 2024. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Pro-Palestinian activists at the Australian National University (ANU) have moved their gaza solidarity encampments after being given a midday deadline on May 28.

This encampment is one of more than 130 across the globe demanding universities divest from any companies linked to Israel amid the Middle East War.

The ANU pro-Palestinian activists are demanding that the university disclose financial ties to weapons manufacturers. They claim their degrees should not be “covered” in the blood of Gazans.

ANU Students for Palestine moved their Gaza solidarity encampment away from the Kambri Lawns to University Avenue after being asked to vacate the lawns on May 27 due to safety and security concerns.

The group also organised a rally on May 28 to exercise their right to peaceful protest and warn the university not to be complicit in an “unfolding genocide.”

This comes amid the Israel-Hamas war, which is currently heating up amid Israel striking Rafah and negotiations on hostages set to resume.

A spokesperson for ANU confirmed to The Epoch Times that students had until midday to vacate the encampment site as directed by police and have since moved. The lawn is a primary evacuation zone for emergencies, the university noted.

“ANU has provided options for the protestors to continue their protests in ways that are respectful and safe for the entire University community and campus. The university will continue to discuss these options with protestors,” a spokesperson said.

The university highlighted it has facilitated, and continues to enable safe protest for everyone on the campus.

“As has always been the case, the students have always had the right to protest—so long as they do so in ways that are safe, are appropriate for our campus and which adhere to Australian law and our codes of conduct.”

ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Grady Venville said ANU has provided options for protestors to continue their protests in ways that are respectful and safe for the entire university community and campus.

This included a re-examination of university investments and its socially responsible investment policy.

“Protestors have been invited to meet with the University leadership to discuss this matter. So far, they have not taken up this invitation. The offer still stands,” she said in a statement.

She added students, staff and community have the right to protest on this issue—so long as they do so in ways that are safe, are appropriate for our campus and which adhere to Australian law and our codes of conduct.

“Our commitment to academic freedom and free speech is one of the many fine characteristics that define our University. Equally defining is our commitment to reduce and stop harm, not cause it,” she said.

Disclose and Divest the Goal, Says Activists

More than a dozen tents, large number of pro-Palestinian flags and a Gaza Solidarity Encampment sign were seen at the students for Palestine camp.

On May 27, police and campus security directed students to vacate the site by noon on May 28, amid the safety concerns.

In response, ANU for Palestine said the encampment overwhelmingly made the decision to relocate, noting their main aim relates to the situation in Gaza in a post to Instagram.

“Let us be clear: our goal has never been to occupy Kambri lawns. Our goal has always been to, and continues to be, to ensure our ANU degrees are no longer contributing to genocide,” the group said.

“Our goal is for the ANU to disclose and divest. No location change, no intimidation tactic, and no threat will change that.”

Meanwhile, 45 people have been killed in an air strike on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to the Hamas controlled Gaza Health Ministry.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has labelled this a “tragic mistake.”

Other Encampments Also End

Meanwhile, University of Melbourne students for Palestine agreed to finally end their encampment on May 23.

Students had camped out at the Arts West building at the university, renaming it Mahmoud’s Hall in honour a student who died in Gaza.

Vice chancellor Duncan Maskell directed the students to leave after they found the building unfit for occupation.

This came after an inspection identified May 17 found multiple examples of damage inside the building, including to emergency exits and fire safety equipment.

The university noted this is causing “significant disruption” to normal university business.

Liberal shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson had raised concerns on May 22 that the University of Melbourne is not a safe place for Jewish students and staff.

“Antisemitism is dividing our country,” she said. 

Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allan had also weighed in on the issue, calling for an end to “reckless behaviour” at pro-Palestinian encampments.

“I really do think we have reached a point where many Victorians are frustrated, are fed up with some of the reckless behaviour we’ve seen. I know I certainly am,” she said.

LaTrobe university students were also forced to disband their camp at the Bundoora Campus after a direction from the university.

The university noted it does not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism, including antisemitism or Islamophobia.

“Although the protests at La Trobe have been relatively peaceful and no classes have been interrupted to date, the university has considered the risks associated with the continued encampment activity, and has taken this decision in the interests of the safety, wellbeing and amenity of all campus users and visitors,” the university said.

RMIT Camps Given Send Off

Meanwhile, RMIT students for Palestine will be ending their encampment on May 30 amid the teaching semester ending.

A student and staff rally will be held to give the camp a “send off” and demand the university breaks weapons ties.

“RMIT’s teaching semester is ending for winter break. We will have been occupying Alumni courtyard for four weeks. Our encampment will hold a closing rally on Thursday at 12pm,” the group said.

In a separate incident, the words Jew Die were sprayed on the fence at a Melbourne Jewish school on May 24.

This incident was widely condemned by both sides of politics, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ms. Henderson.