Pro-Palestine protesters fail in bid to revive Melbourne Uni encampment

Pro-Palestine protesters have been scared off by police after trying to “relaunch” a controversial encampment at Melbourne University 12 months after a tent city was set up in the same spot.

Pro-Palestine protesters at the University of Melbourne have failed to “relaunch” their controversial pro-Palestine encampment at the institution’s Parkville campus on Thursday morning, backing down after Victoria Police were called in.

Less than 24 hours after the institution revealed 17 people were disciplined for their involvement in last year’s protest activity at the university, activist groups Coalition for Palestine and Free Palestine Coalition Naarm declared on Instagram it was setting up an encampment at the university’s South Lawn from 8am.

University of Melbourne students gather to protest for Palestine at University of Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The students refuse to be silenced and intimidated by the University’s illegitimate use of legislation and technology,” the statement said.

“We urge everyone to come to South Lawn from Thursday 8am onwards in remembrance of Mahmoud and all the martyrs of Gaza.

“Please bring what you would like to help us advocate and sustain our encampment until the university listens to our demands. We will not stay silent.”

The statement also included eight demands for the university, including greater recognition and support for Palestinian students and academics on campus, cutting ties with Israeli universities and protecting freedom of expression on campus.

Following the callout on social media, about 10 protesters showed up in masks and with a tent prepared to set up a new encampment in light of the “lack of transparency and disclosure by the university” in regards to their ties with Israel.

Students chanted “UniMelb you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide” as they pitched their tents.

Pro-Palestine protesters at Melbourne University. Picture: Jason Edwards

Protesters failed to ‘relaunch’ their controversial encampment. Picture: Jason Edwards

But their efforts were short-lived when two security officers accompanied by Victoria Police instructed them to take the tent down.

“First of all I would like to ask that you show ID so we can identify if you are staff or students,” one of the security guards informed protesters, with the exchange filmed.

“We are concerned if staff and students show ID they will be reprimanded,” one protester said in response.

The member of security went on to explain it was against university policy to set up an encampment on South Lawn and that they were in breach of that rule.

“I’m going to ask you to remove your tents, are you willing to co-operate,” the security member said.

“What is going to happen if we don’t remove the tents,” one protester responded.

“If you refuse to remove the tents, I will trespass you and you will be arrested,” the security member said.

Students gather with signs on the lawn at University of Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

Students were given 23 minutes to pack up their tents. Picture: Jason Edwards

A Victoria Police officer added: “You guys have been asked to leave and have been asked not to stay on university property”.

Students were given 23 minutes to pack up their tents after being spoken to by police.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there were 10 protesters on campus and they were peaceful.

“No arrests were made, and police intervention was not needed,” she said.

The attempt to relaunch the encampment comes 12 months after protesters set up tent city at the same lawn as part of an international student protest for Palestine, before taking over the Arts West Building for a 10-day occupation that resulted in hundreds of students missing out on class and a heightened security presence.

Such protest activity prompted the university to enforce new rules around protests on campus, including only protesting outside and not obstructing others.

A University of Melbourne spokeswoman said: “A small group of protestors assembled at our Parkville campus this morning and put up two small tents.

“The university responded in line with our protocols and the protestors packed up the tents shortly after.”

Originally published as Pro-Palestine protesters fail in bid to revive Melbourne Uni encampment