University of Adelaide in solidarity with pro-Palestine protesters’ right to ‘lawful freedom of expression’

As pressure builds on unis to act on tumultuous pro-Palestinian protests, the state’s largest has revealed its take on its campus camp out.

The University of Adelaide will not take any action to evict students occupying its campus in protest to the Palestinian conflict.

Instead, the Group of Eight member has reiterated its support of “lawful freedom of expression”.

The university did not answer what engagement it has had with the protesters who are demanding the institution cut ties with weapons manufacturers and companies.

The group moved into the Maths Lawns at the city campus on May 1.

It comes as pressure mounts on leading Australian universities, where similar camps have been established, to evict the students.

Pro-Palestine protest on the Adelaide University North Terrace campus. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A University of Adelaide spokesman said it had increased security in the wake of incidents involving fireworks being set off inside the campsite.

“The University of Adelaide supports lawful freedom of expression and allows peaceful protests by our students that do not reasonably cause others to feel threatened,” he said.

“We do not support behaviour and activities that disrupt the University’s operations or damage property and will take necessary action to ensure the safety of students and staff.

“Following reports of incidents, the University has increased its existing security presence on campus to ensure the safety and welfare of its community and will work with the appropriate authorities to assist with their inquiries.”

Protest camps have been set up on at least 12 universities across Australia, with increasingly ugly scenes around the country of protesters storming buildings and taking over classrooms.

Deakin University last week was the first to demand pro-Palestinian protesters dismantle their encampment, while University of Queensland said it would involve police and take disciplinary action against students after ugly scenes on its Brisbane campus last week.

Staff at the University of Melbourne on Monday formally demanded its campus’ sit-in protesters, who took over a large building at the Parkville campus, stop their protest amid complaints of classes being disrupted.

A camp at Monash University was abandoned after two weeks.

It too warned of police intervention and expulsion.

The University of Sydney also took disciplinary action against pro-Palestine protesters sharing their ID cards with non-students.

Originally published as University of Adelaide in solidarity with pro-Palestine protesters’ right to ‘lawful freedom of expression’