Pro-Palestine activists climb on to roof of building at University of Queensland St Lucia campus

Two men have been charged after a protest against the University of Queensland’s ties with weapons manufacturers escalated, triggering police to step in.

Two men have been charged over a rooftop protest at the University of Queensland, amid escalating tensions on the campus.

Police were called in to the university after activists climbed on to the roof of a building about 2pm on Monday, protesting the university’s ties with weapons manufacturers.

Two protesters managed to get onto the roof of the Cumbrae Stewart Building at the St Lucia campus as more than 50 people gathered below.

The building houses the university’s ethics and integrity unit.

They left the rooftop without incident about 3.30pm but tensions rose as police escorted them away.

The men, both aged 53, have been charged with one count each of unregulated high-risk activity.

They’ve been released on bail and will face Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 6.

Activists on a rooftop at the University of Queensland as pro-Palestine protests continue. Picture: Liam Kidston

Fellow protesters blocked an exit police were attempting to use, while others were seen banging on windows, with police and security guards pictured inside.

Protesters are continuing their demands for the university to divest from companies they said were complicit in the “genocide” of Palestinians.

Two protesters on the buildings balcony held a sign that said “Boeing off campus” while in front of the building others held signs that said “UQ’s Killing Institute #Boeingarmsgenocide” and “stop arming Israel shut down Ferra end the siege on Gaza free Palestine”.

Police arrive at the University of Queensland as Pro-Palestine activists stage a protest. Picture: Shaye Windsor

One protest organiser claimed the university was “actively taking part in genocide”.

“We have the director of integrity and research ethics right here in this building, we know that they are hearing these words and hope they feel ashamed,” she said.

Pro-Palestine protesters at a University of Queensland building. Picture: Liam Kidston

Three demonstrators began knocking lightly on the building’s windows after the protesters on the roof spoke to the crowd.

“I speak to fathers in Gaza every day, they tell me that their children are starving to death in front of their eyes,” one said.

Pro-Palestine protesters on the roof of building 72. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We cannot pretend to act normally and go about our day, we do not want to be up here but we feel like we are being forced up here.”

Subhi Awad, who has joined the protest, said in a statement issued by the pro-Palestine group on Monday morning that the government was “failing in its legal obligations” under international genocide convention.

A cracked window at a UQ building in the wake of a pro-Palestine protest on campus. Picture: Liam Kidston

“As Australian Palestinian fathers, we have observed 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,” he said.

“The Genocide Convention states that not co-operating with genocide isn’t enough; we are obliged to actively do what we can to stop it from happening.

“The government is failing in its legal obligations, and we are following Australia’s proud history of civil disobedience in the face of war crimes, human rights abuses, and injustice.

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

Protesters on a rooftop at the University of Queensland. Picture: Shaye Windsor

Mr Awad said he should not have to resort to “civil disobedience” to protect children from “companies like Boeing”.

“These dealers of death and destruction should have no place in the education and recruitment of our youth in schools or universities,” he said.

Veteran Queensland Aboriginal activist Wayne Wharton addressed the crowd speaking of the links between the plight of Indigenous Australians and of the Palestinian people.