THOUSANDS protested outside universities and colleges around the UK yesterday as part of a workers and students Day of Action for Palestine.
There were 150 students outside King’s College London (KCL) students, in The Strand, chanting: ‘Netanyahu Shame on You! Israel is a Terrorist State! Netanyahu You can’t Hide, You’ll be tried for Genocide! From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free!’
UCU Deputy leader Peter Charlton condemned Israeli genocide and also staff being victimised for supporting Palestine, saying: ‘Free Palestine! The genocide must end. Israel must be stopped.’
A representative of KCL Stands for Justice said: ‘The students are here today in support of Osama, a student who has had his visa revoked over his support for Palestine.
‘We are also here as part of today’s day of action for Palestine. Students and staff across the world should come together and confront Zionism and speak up for a free Palestine.
‘The students at King’s College are concerned about the university’s ties with Israel and its complicity with genocide.’
Melissa, a PHD student at KCL said: ‘I’m protesting against the university’s complicity with the genocide and silencing of a student who speaks up for Palestine.
‘Demonstrating for Palestine is a normal thing to do. People across the world support the Palestinians. There have been dock strikes around the Mediterranean. The unions here in the UK should take strike action too.’
At University College London, students and workers organised by the UCL Coalition for Palestine came out at 12.30pm, with around 100 students gathered outside the Andrew Huxley Building, demanding an end to the university’s complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Students chanted, ‘UCL, shame on you, your hands are bloody too! Free, free Palestine!’ and ‘UCL, pick a side: Justice or genocide.’
Others called on Michael Spence, the university’s President and Provost, to take a clear position. Chants also included, ‘Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation,’ and ‘London students, it’s our time – shut it down for Palestine.’
A significant police presence was called to the scene by the university.
Addressing the crowd, one student said: ‘We are a group of students exercising our democratic right to protest on campus. There is nothing illegal about that.
‘UCL has chosen to call the police on its own students, which shows how repressive this university has become.’ The remark was met with chants of ‘Shame’.
Students responded with further chants, including, ‘UCL, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide.’
During the rally, police arrested one student, prompting calls from the crowd for his release. Protesters chanted, ‘Let him go! Stop arresting students.’
Another speaker told the crowd: ‘UCL security is doing nothing to protect us. Instead, they are allowing the police to photograph us without consent.
‘They are collaborating with the Zionists.’ The comment drew further chants of ‘Shame’ and ‘UCL security, shame.’
Andrew, 20, an English literature student from Leicester, told News Line: ‘I’m here because I believe it is the moral duty of every human being to oppose genocide.
‘I am ashamed that my university is collaborating with weapons companies while presenting itself as an institution with values.
‘Today they called the police on peaceful students who are simply raising their voices for Gaza. Universities like this help whitewash what is happening.’
Another BSc student, who asked not to be named for fear of disciplinary action, said: ‘They raise our fees while living in London becomes impossible, while politicians and their friends in the private sector make millions from genocide.
‘The Labour Party under Keir Starmer is a joke and has to go. The recent Epstein file revelations show how deep the rot goes. They have no red lines and will lie, cheat and deceive to get their way. They are no better than the Tories.
‘I agree with the position that students must organise alongside trade unions and push for a general strike, because elections just change the name of the government while the same cruel policies continue, including funding and defending genocide and punishing those who oppose it.’
