Pro-Palestinian Protesters Charged After Political Disturbance at University of Queensland

Pro-Palestinian protesters stand in front of a large flag and banner at a rally in Sydney on May 15, 2024. DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

Two pro-Palestinian activists have been charged following an alleged “political disturbance” on a roof at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus.

Footage shared to social media shows the men holding a sign stating, “University of Queensland, stop funding genocide.”

This comes amid a global movement around the world setting up camps on campuses, protesting the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East.

Queensland police confirmed to The Epoch Times that two 53-year-old men had  been charged with one count each of unregulated high-risk activity.

“Police responded to reports of a political disturbance at an educational facility on Carmody Road, St Lucia around 3 p.m.,” the spokesperson said.

“Upon police arrival, it is alleged the two men were observed on the roof of a building at the educational facility.”

The individuals were both released on bail and are due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 6.

Several other activist carrying pro-Palestinian flags and signs were also seen in images shared to social media and seen by The Epoch Times.

The activists are demanding that the University of Queensland disclose and divest from all companies and institutions supplying weapons to Israel.

In addition, they want the university to end ties with weapons manufacturers and foreign defense departments, to cease academic, business, and cultural ties with Israel until the conflict ends.

“As Australian Palestinian fathers, we have watched for more than 225 days as Israel has committed atrocity after atrocity against our communities’ family and friends in Gaza and throughout Palestine, mostly affecting children,” organisers said.

“We have witnessed the pain, suffering, and the physical and psychological trauma inflicted on more than one million children.

“As people of conscience, we are taking action in support of students who are always on the right side of history.”

Encampment Drama Continues Around Australia

Meanwhile, the University of Queensland sent an email to encampment organisers on Friday, warning them they could face disciplinary action for chant including the word “intifada.”

“The use of the words ‘out, out, Israel out’ at the protest yesterday in the context of harassing and intimidating behaviours, and the placement of antisemitic stickers on windows and students, go beyond the limits of free speech,” the email seen by The Guardian stated. 

In Victoria, multiple encampments have been asked to dismantle, including those at Deakin University, the University of Melbourne, and La Trobe University.

Amid the drama, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called for calm and respect and said, “we should not be seeing violence overseas bring violence back to the streets of Melbourne.”

“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 in a press conference on May 21.

“We need to let the students who want to get back to their learning, get back to their learning.”

Students at the University of Melbourne have refused to comply with demands to leave the Arts West building at the Parkville Campus.

The students said in an Instagram post they would “not be moved” and have organised a dinner and movie screening at what they label “Mahmoud’s Hall.”