Oxford occupation report
A supporter of Communist Students at Oxford University has sent us this report and photos
I went to Broad street at around 6:30pm. There were still protesters (around 40-50 of them) outside the Bodleian library (in front of Calrendon building) shouting and proclaiming their solidarity to the Palestine people. I spoke to a few of them and I learnt that some local residents too had joined the protest. Leaflets distributed on the site said that students were occupying the building with a charter of demands to the University:
- Release of a statement by the university condemning the attacks on Gaza especially the bombing of the Islamic Univ of Gaza.
- Provide scholarships to 5 Gazan students to enable them to study at Oxford
- Ceases to invest in BAE systems and other companies that provide arms to Israel
- Provide resources to help rebuild the University of Gaza
- That the master of Balliol college cancels the lecture series inaugurated by Shimon Peres in protest of his role in the conflict.
Students (around 30-40 inside the building apart from those outside) were seen to be in negotiations with the proctors of the univ (see pics of the windows). Finally from locked gates the students who were inside came to announce the following demands have been met:
- No punitive action against those who laid siege.
- University to issue a statement condemning the attack on the Islamic University of Gaza.
- Regarding investments in BAE – yet to look into the issue.
- Scholarships to be awarded to Palestinian students
- Regarding the Balliol college lecture series – issues to be taken up with Balliol.
- Surplus books and some other resources to be shared with universities in Gaza.
These were announced and I don’t have any official confirmation. After this students lead a protest march to Balliol college and continued to shout slogans against the college.
More photos
