UK Police Arrest 16 at Oxford University Pro-Palestinian Protest
Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 24, 2024
Thames Valley Police detained 16 individuals during a demonstration organized by a pro-Palestinian student group at Oxford University, marking the latest escalation on the prestigious campus amidst the conflict in Gaza.
According to Thames Valley Police, the arrests, made on Thursday, were on suspicion of aggravated trespass, with one individual also detained on suspicion of common assault.
Similar protests have unfolded at over a dozen UK universities in recent weeks, including renowned institutions like Oxford and Cambridge, echoing actions seen on campuses globally, particularly in the United States.
Participants in the demonstrations, critical of Israel’s actions in the conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza, have called for various measures, including the severance of academic and financial ties with Israel.
In Oxford, the arrests occurred after students entered a university administrative building, asserting they had exhausted other means of communication with the administration.
A spokesperson for the Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) protest group criticized the university’s response, accusing the vice-chancellor of avoiding dialogue by evacuating the building, locking it down, and calling in police to make arrests.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals being dragged away by officers while onlookers voiced disapproval.
Oxford University released a statement characterizing the demonstrators’ actions as beyond peaceful protest, citing instances of forced entry and temporary occupation of university offices.
The statement also highlighted concerns about the protest’s impact on the university community, particularly Jewish students and staff, describing the environment as deeply intimidating.
The university’s union, representing academics, lecturers, and staff, condemned the police intervention, asserting that students engaged in peaceful protest should not be subject to violent arrest.
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Author: Jerry Alomatu
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