Pro-Palestine activists occupy Melbourne University building, could face ’disciplinary action and police action’
The university’s deputy vice-chancellor says pro-Palestine protesters “crossed a line” as he warned they could face police action.
Victoria
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The University of Melbourne has warned pro-Palestinian protesters occupying a major building on campus that it will send in police to break up their encampment because its “patience is now at an end”.
The Herald Sun confirmed with the university on Thursday night that it was closely working with police to remove the protesters.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Michael Wesley said students had a right to protest at its Parkville campus, but it was not a “blank cheque”.
“They crossed a line when they occupied the Arts West building,” he said.
More than 6000 students had classes cancelled yesterday over security concerns after dozens of protesters camped in tents on Wednesday night inside the faculty building, refusing to leave until the university met their demands.
That number of protesters grew steadily throughout the day with a small police presence seen at the campus in the afternoon.
Protesters gathered at the front of the Arts West building on Thursday night, chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine is almost free”, with speakers thanking their “comrades” for showing up.
At one point during the rally, a former student tore up and spat on her university degree to cheers from the crowd.
“The university’s patience is now at an end, the occupation is now seriously disruptive and seriously intimidating,” Professor Wesley said.
In a video statement, he said that if students and staff did not comply with the university’s guidelines and codes of conduct, they would face “disciplinary action and police action”.
A Victoria Police spokesman said police were continuing to work closely with the university in response to ongoing protests.
“Police are constantly monitoring the activity and are well equipped to respond to any public order issues if required,” he said.
“At this stage, Victoria Police has not been requested to intervene or remove any protesters.”
It comes as Deakin University is yet to say when it will remove the encampment at its Burwood campus, despite issuing organiser Jasmine Duff with a second letter to dismantle the tent city on a walkway.
Ms Duff was threatened with a misconduct charge if she didn’t put an end to the encampment as initially requested by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Kerrie Parker on Monday.
“I refer to my letter of 13 May … in that letter you were asked to please attend to the immediate dismantling and removal of the current encampment on Morgan’s Walk,” Ms Parker wrote in the second letter on Thursday.
“I note that the encampment has not been dismantled. No attempt to comply with the university’s request has been made. Furthermore you have made public statements to the effect that you do not intend to comply with the request.”
Ms Parker reiterated it was in the interest of student and staff health and safety the encampment should be removed “immediately”.
Deakin also followed in the footsteps of Monash University by displaying notices threatening police action if outsiders attended its Burwood campus.
Monash students face academic discipline
Meanwhile, student pro-Palestine protesters at Monash University’s Clayton campus claim they have been threatened with suspensions and expulsions if they ignore orders to stay away from the encampment, in what they’ve labelled as an “outrageous attack on freedom of speech”.
Students revealed on Thursday morning, nine of them received written and verbal correspondence from the university stating they could face immediate academic discipline following reports of misconduct related to protest activity last week.
The university is reviewing and investigating a number of complaints made against both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters.
Students have also been advised to not communicate or engage with other parties that are part of the allegations or to enter the Lemon Scented Lawns.
Student Madeline Curkovic described the university’s response as an “absolute attack on freedom of speech”.
“It’s an absolute disgrace (how) Monash University has responded to a peaceful encampment … nine of us have been prevented from being at the encampment behind us on the Lemon
Scented Lawns, we are being threatened with expulsion and suspension,” she said.
“I am being threatened with expulsion or potential suspension by the university for yelling at a pro-Israel supporter who came into the encampment and assaulted me.
“Students who are coming out here and saying anti-racist slogans like “from the river to the sea” … students who say these things will be immediately academically disciplined. Monash security have spoken to us in writing and verbal communication with us and that’s what will happen if students use those slogans.”
Despite this claim, the university reassured students’ rights to protest have not been impacted and they won’t be suspended or expelled for saying the controversial slogans.
Another student said: “Monash is cracking down on students who decide they want to make a statement. Monash should have no business in having weapon ties. What is happening is an absolute crackdown on freedom of speech”.
One Jewish student at the university said the university’s response was “a good start towards taking action” however said more should have been done sooner.
“It is disappointing that the rhetoric that Jewish students have said is harmful hasn’t been validated until now by the university,” he said.
“Slogans like ‘from the river to the sea’ have been calls for violence against Jews since before October 7.
“It will remain difficult being on campus knowing people hate you for part of your identity.”
Those that received a letter informing them of misconduct were asked to complete a student response form by May 20 to defend their actions, but the nine students are yet to engage with the university.
A Monash University spokesman said the university is considering all formal reports of student general misconduct related to protest activity, including those arising from incidents at the encampment on May 6 and 7.
“The University takes all complaints seriously. We are reviewing and investigating the complaints in line with our policies and procedures, which has resulted in a number of formal notices of student misconduct being issued,” he said.
Deakin threatens police action
Deakin University has followed in the footsteps of Monash University by displaying notices threatening police action if outside pro-Palestine supporters attend its Burwood campus to protest.
The sign titled Regulation 12 - Vice-Chancellor Regulations, which is displayed on Morgan’s Walk near a security checkpoint, says those who are not student or staff members will be directed to leave if they participate in demonstrations.
“Deakin University supports its Code for Upholding Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom and respects the right of individuals to engage in lawful free speech,” the sign said.
“At the same time, Deakin University campuses must be safe and secure for all Deakin University students and staff.
“Until further notice, any person, other than a Deakin University student or staff member, who engages in or intends to engage in protest activities, is directed to immediately leave.”
The note concluded by saying if this order is contravened, the university may involve Victoria Police.
‘We strive to bring about a peaceful solution’
The University of Melbourne has cancelled all classes in the Arts West building at its Parkville campus as pro-Palestinian protesters continue to occupy the area.
The university issued a statement on Thursday morning, saying there was no access to the building due to the “disruption” and “safety issues” caused by protest activity.
“Classes will therefore not take place in that building,” the statement said.
“Alternative arrangements will be communicated via subject co-ordinators.
“Students with classes scheduled in Arts West are being advised, and are asked to check the Learning Management System (LMS) for updates.
“The university is working with campus security to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff.”
A couple dozen pro-Palestinian protesters camped out at the building overnight Wednesday.
Cleaners entered the building to empty bins and take in bathroom supplies early on Thursday morning.
About 15 tents could be seen inside, as well as dozens of Palestinian flags and banners.
Two security guards patrolled the area outside the building.
On Thursday afternoon protesters were once again asked to leave the Arts West building.
In a statement the university said more than 5000 students and staff had been affected by the disruption and rescheduling of 150 classes since Wednesday.
“We are deeply concerned by the escalation in action, damage to university property and disruptive intent of some, including external actors, to our Parkville campus,” the university said.
“The continued occupation of university sites presents an unacceptable risk to the safety, security, and important work of our entire community.
“We are talking with student leaders as we strive to bring about a peaceful solution. We are concurrently working closely with the police and our security teams to manage the situation and similarly seek a peaceful conclusion. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our priority.”
The university added: “Staff and students must comply with relevant codes of conduct, and external actors may not use University grounds for protest.
“Any individual who refuses to comply will be subject to the relevant consequences, be they internal disciplinary action, referral to police, or both.”
“We regret the inconvenience this occupation by a small number of individuals is causing our University community, especially at this critical time of semester.
“As we have always stated in relation to this matter, freedom of speech is respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and is central to our values and identity.
“Any form of protest extending to sustained disruption for other students and staff, violence, property damage, threat or intimidation contravenes the university codes of conduct and public law.”
Deakin protesters rally to ‘defend’ their camp
Deakin University is yet to say when it will remove the encampment at its Burwood campus, despite issuing organiser Jasmine Duff with a second letter to dismantle the tent city.
Ms Duff was threatened with breaching academic misconduct if she didn’t put an end to the encampment as initially requested by deputy Vice-Chancellor Kerrie Parker on Monday.
“I refer to my letter of 13 May 2024 … In that letter you were asked to please attend the immediate dismantling and removal of the current encampment on Morgan’s walk,” Ms Parker penned in a second letter on Thursday.
“I note that the encampment has not been dismantled. No attempt to comply with the University’s request has been made. Furthermore you have made public statements to the effect that you do not intend to comply with the request.”
Ms Parker reiterated it was in the interest of student and staff health and safety the encampment should be removed “immediately”.
“Failure to comply with the Student Code of Conduct and a reasonable direction may each constitute an act of student misconduct,” she said.
In response to the letter, Deakin Students for Palestine said “we shall not be moved” and asked its supporters to be on “standby” to help “defend” the camp.
The letter to Ms Duff comes as students from the university received a letter from Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin sharing that protesting was still allowed on campus, but the encampment was not welcome.
“The continuing presence of the encampment at Burwood is increasingly compromising the right of those in our community to access and enjoy a typical learning and work environment free of impediment, intimidation, threat and harassment,” he said.
“The Deakin University community is more than 65,000 strong, and we will not allow the actions of a few to compromise the values, standing and operation of our university.”
Pro-Palestine activists cause chaos as uni protests escalate
Pro-Palestine activists descended on two major Victorian universities and the state parliament on Wednesday, creating chaos and vowing they wouldn’t leave until their demands were met.
The ongoing anti-Israel action at Melbourne campuses ramped up at the University of Melbourne in Parkville and at Deakin University in Burwood.
On Wednesday night, hundreds of students were facing the prospect of police action, with threats they would be called in if the group continued to defy university orders to move on.
From 4pm a massive group of student protesters marched into the Arts West building in Parkville, chanting with megaphones and carrying banners, calling for the university to cut all ties with Israel immediately.
Late in the afternoon the group set up tents within the foyer and vowed they would not move.
The pledge came despite the University of Melbourne pleading with the group to leave saying the action had breached “university policy” and was affecting classes.
On Wednesday night a statement by the university was released: “Today’s behaviour, including the refusal to leave the building, was unacceptable and will be investigated,” it said.
“The University of Melbourne is also increasingly concerned about the level of miss and disinformation being shared online.”
The university said the safety and wellbeing of its students and staff was its priority and it was working closely with the appropriate authorities to address this matter as soon as possible.
“Freedom of speech is respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and is central to our values and identity. The university welcomes debate and peaceful protest on campus, provided it does not extend to violence, threat or intimidation.”
“Earlier today, university leadership attended the protest without security or police, to ask them to leave the building peacefully.
“Those involved in the protest were advised that in the event they did not leave peacefully, the matter could be referred to security and police.’’
But late on Wednesday evening, hundreds of protesters had not budged and faced being slapped with trespassing offences.
The group also appeared to be preparing for police to arrive, shifting couches and chairs from the nearby study space to the foyer in an attempt to barricade themselves in.
“We shall not be moved,” the group continued chanting.
The UniMelb for Palestine group posted on Instagram that they were starting a “permanent sit-in” until their demands were heard.
Messages were also being sent out on social media with protesters calling for more recruits.
On a main walkway at Deakin University’s Burwood campus, dozens of students refused to leave, vowing to stay put in solidarity late into the evening.
Security was called in to move them on, with one protester claiming they were being “treated like criminals”.
Despite the university’s warning to leave, at least 40 protesters remained.
In response to the move-on orders the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) said it was “deeply alarming” to see universities taking measures to “curtail students’ legitimate right to protest”.
“It is unacceptable that the University of Melbourne has threatened to penalise students involved in protests,” a spokeswoman said.
“Protest is a vital and legitimate right within a democracy.”
In the city students believed to be from RMIT and other protesters gathered outside the Victorian parliament.
A crowd of several hundred students and others rallied, shouting “liar, liar” when a speaker mentioned the rise of anti-Semitism.
The protests were timed to interrupt Nakba Day, celebrating the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Monash University issues warning to protesters
The escalation at Melbourne University comes as Monash University moved to close its Clayton campus to outside protesters, warning police will be called if those who are not staff or students engage in “protest activities”.
The university’s Clayton campus has been the site of a large encampment where there have been heated clashes between pro-Palestine and Jewish protesters.
University heads and police have stated they believed several of those in the encampments and attending rallies were not students or staff.
Notices appeared on the campus on Wednesday stating that: “Any person other than a Monash University student or staff member who engages, or intends to engage, in protest activities, is directed not to enter, access or otherwise be present, in the university precinct.”
“Any contravention of this direction will be referred to Victoria Police.”
Four notices warning outside protesters to stay away from the Monash camp were strung around two light poles just meters away from the encampment.
Only a small number of pro-Palestine activists could be seen occupying the tent city on Wednesday morning.
There also appeared to be less security guards monitoring the camp compared to Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon when pro-Palestine and Jewish students clashed.
Meanwhile there were louder scenes at the University of Melbourne, where protesters took to the institution’s Art’s West Precinct with drums, flags and megaphones.
A banner with the writing “Mahmoud’s Hall” draped from a higher level down to the ground as students remembered a Palestinian named Mahmoud who they say was killed in the war.
A tent was also assembled on the ground floor while dozens of pro-Palestine supporters surrounded it chanting and clapping amid students attending class.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) said it was “deeply alarming” to see universities, including University of Melbourne and Deakin University, were taking measures to “curtail students’ legitimate right to protest”.
“It is unacceptable that the University of Melbourne has threatened to penalise students involved in protests,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
“Protest is a vital and legitimate right within a democracy, and it is a credit to these students and university staff that they are exercising this right.”
The rally at the University of Melbourne on Wednesday morning comes as pro-Palestine supporters from across the city plan to meet at the RMIT encampment on Wednesday afternoon before marching to the state library for Nakba Day, which marks the displacement of Palestinian people in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Pressure is mounting to dismantle university encampments across the country, with protesters vowing to resist any move-on orders and warning of a US-style reaction.
Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday called for all Australian universities to follow the lead of Deakin and pull down their “camps of hate”.
His comments followed Deakin University becoming the first Australian university to order a shutdown of its pro-Palestine encampment at its Burwood campus, with deputy vice-chancellor Kerrie Parker penning a letter to organisers stating the camp had “compromised” the health and safety of staff and students.
Originally published as Pro-Palestine activists occupy Melbourne University building, could face ’disciplinary action and police action’
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