Dear Vice Chancellor,
We are writing to voice our strong support for the students who have established an encampment on campus in solidarity with the Palestinian people. While we understand the university’s concerns around health and safety, this peaceful protest raises the critical issue that our institution has a duty to protect and support all students. The students have undertaken their own risk assessments and are co-operating with university policies relating to the wellbeing of all campus attendees.
The students have organised this peaceful encampment to denounce the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and the ongoing genocide against its civilians, including displaced refugees, women and children, and to protest against the University’s complicity in the Israeli government’s apartheid and genocide. They seek to raise awareness about the harsh realities endured by Palestinians and call for our university to uphold its values by boycotting and divesting from companies and entities that enable the oppression of Palestinian people. This encampment connects with the worldwide movement of student encampments for Palestine, and the sentiment is shared by UCU in support of all students and staff engaged in Palestinian solidarity activism.
We have been extremely disturbed to learn of the abuse and violence that has taken place on campus towards the encampment, which we condemn. We demand that the university remembers and upholds its duty to safeguard the wellbeing of students and campus visitors. We are asking the university to provide visible security support, especially at night when the protesters feel most vulnerable.
This encampment gives a voice to the struggles of Palestinians facing violence, land confiscation, movement restrictions, and institutionalised discrimination. We urge the university to hear directly from these student organisers about their Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement goals. Protecting peaceful protest and elevating marginalised voices should be a priority at a university that prides itself on upholding free speech and academic freedom.
We ask the university to facilitate open and respectful dialogue with the activists on campus, engage with the students about their demands, and substantively address their calls for the freedom of the Palestinian people, whilst protecting the encampment from abuse, violence and intimidation.
Our university has an opportunity here to stand on the right side of history and social justice. We thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
UCU Lincoln Committee