University of Melbourne tells pro-Palestine supporters to ‘move on’, cancels classes at Parkville campus
Activists hung up a controversial banner at the University of Melbourne after entrances to the Arts West building were barred to prevent pro-Palestine protesters re-entering the building.
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Pro-Palestine supporters participating in a sit-in at The University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus have been told to “move on”, with the institution cancelling classes scheduled to take place in the hall for a third day.
On Monday night protesters hung a banner in the causeway outside the Melbourne University Arts West building.
The banner was taken down shortly after, following a disagreement between protesters.
The protesters moved into the Arts West building on Wednesday last week, forcing classes to be cancelled amid security fears.
Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell issued a direction to remove property from the premises and move on, on Monday morning after a safety inspection found “actions associated with protests at the University have become increasingly disruptive and unsafe”.
Staff and students enrolled at the university are being threatened with breaching code of conduct if they fail to comply with the orders, while those not affiliated with the university could be penalised by police for trespassing.
“The University of Melbourne is committed to being a place where the thoughtful exchange of divergent views may occur in a civil and peaceful manner, and respects the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to assembly to engage in peaceful protest,” the notice said.
“However, University grounds must not be used for protest that is not peaceful, for protest in a manner that jeopardises the safety and security of persons using University premises, or unreasonably interferes with core University activities.
“Camping is not allowed on University premises. Occupation of buildings is not permitted.”
Safety inspectors found emergency exits, fire panel access and fire fighting equipment were obstructed by the encampment taking place inside the Arts West Building.
Protest organisers said two of the four entrances to the building have been obstructed by campus security, who jammed the automatic doors by placing wooden planks along the bottom.
The protesters practised their picket line formation as they waited for the possible arrival of police.
About 100 supporters shuffled into three rows as organisers called for them to assemble for a test run.
Marshalls said the picket line was not an “objective” but rather a “tactic” to help them achieve their goal of deterring and delaying police.
As pro-Palestine protesters anticipate the arrival of police, the protest “marshall” and Tertiary Education Union representative instructed students to stand side-by-side around the perimeter of the building when authorities arrive.
If numbers permit, they said they will form single file picket line.
“The aim of the game is to provide a deterrence and to delay, but we do not want anyone to get arrested,” a picket line organiser said.
Protesters participating in the demonstration were told by protest organisers, police will likely issue them with a move on notice.
But participants were warned they do not need to leave until a dedicated pro-Palestine “police liaison” deems the direction “valid”.
They were also told they are not required to engage with police if they arrive.
University student Jake said he was trying to get to class on Monday when he was handed an eviction notice by campus security.
“I’m just a uni student trying to get to class,” he said.
“I get what they’re doing but there’s a better way to go about it to be honest.”
One university student, who asked not to be named, said the protests are “disruptive” to other students.
“You can do it (protest) but less with less violence,” he said.
Another student said the protests are “counterintuitive” and the behaviour of some protests might be getting other students off side.
“The consensus amongst my mates is that it it’s too disruptive and that means they alienate themselves from us,” he said.
One other student, who also asked not be named, said while free speech is important, the protests have become “unproductive”.
“You get to a point where it where it does come in the way of studying,” he said.
“We are at university to learn and when it gets in the way of that, it becomes a bit unfair for everyone.
“I think that’s where you kind of have to draw a line.”
The student said police presence could cause existing tensions to flare.
Consequently, the University was forced to cancel classes again on Monday, while those who usually work in the building were advised they could not continue with their usual occupation in the area.
In response to the notice, UniMelb Students for Palestine – the group currently occupying the building – has issued a “call out to community” asking for their fellow pro-Palestine supporters to attend the campus in support of the sit-in.
The group also shared videos to their social media showing security removing posters tacked outside the building and have called an “emergency rally” to protect the hall.
Under the directive, staff and students were warned “any person who contravenes this direction will be trespassing on university grounds and may be referred to Victoria Police”.
A heavy security presence remained outside the building, which protesters have renamed “Mahmoud’s Hall”.
While some protesters removed mattresses and belongings from the building, others remained inside theirs tents and swags,
A growing group of supporters have gathered outside the building as they prepare to form “a community picket line”.
In a statement, The University of Melbourne said it remains “concerned and disappointed” to see students refusing to leave the Arts West Building.
“Due to the occupation of the building and associated safety issues … the total number of students affected by the disruption (is) more than 15,000 across 474 classes,” a spokesman said.
“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.
“However, 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 or law.
The notice to protesters comes as Victoria Police spokesman Mark Galliot told ABC Melbourne police have had constant discussions with universities about how to peacefully move protesters on.
“At the end of the day we are hoping for a peaceful resolution to this. We do not want to see what has occurred overseas,” he said.
“The university wants to seek a peaceful resolution to what is occurring and we are in constant discussion with the university.
“If we are to come in we will have a discussion with the university about what that looks like and how we’ll take action.”
Meanwhile, pro-Palestine supporters at Deakin University’s Burwood campus have declared they will end their camp “triumphantly” on Thursday with a “closing rally”.
“We will have a closing rally to end our camp triumphantly, having made it to the end of semester despite management’s attempts to shut it down, and to tell Deakin uni that this camp was only the beginning of our campaign against their ties to weapons companies,” a statement posted to social media said.
“Make sure you bring your camping gear to join us for the final night.”
The decision to close the encampment on Friday follows repeated directions from Deputy Vice-Chancellor Kerrie Parker to organiser Jasmine Duff shut down the tent city on Morgan’s Walk.
Deakin’s closing rally will come more than a week after the encampment at Monash University’s Clayton campus was dismantled, with Students for Palestine Monash currently sorting through piles of donated camping gear to give back to those who supplied it.
Elsewhere, encampments and protests are still taking place at RMIT’s City campus and La Trobe University Bundoora.
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