Pro-Palestine protest: UU employees to "walk out" at 11:00 am

The teachers are mad that both pro-Palestine occupations held last week – one at the courtyard of the city centre library and another one in the building adjacent to it – were terminated by the police. Both on Tuesday and Wednesday, protesters were taken away in buses by the police and released afterwards without getting arrested. The walk-out is meant as a demonstration against the use of police force to disperse peaceful protests. 

In addition, participants aim to engage in a dialogue with the Executive Board. They reiterate the demands made by the protesters in all previous demonstrations: that Utrecht University should adopt a clear position regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, "which is taking genocidal contours", and be transparent about its ties with research institutions, organisations and companies based in Israel. In their view, these ties should be severed and all financing directed at these institutions should cease. Lastly, they would like the university to consider the position of Palestine as an independent state. 

This initiative is not unique to UU. The walk-out will happen at universities across the entire country.

Last night, the university administration sent an e-mail to all students and employees, informing them that they are free to participate in this demonstration. Agreements will be made with the faculties regarding the classes that will be missed. The Executive Board underscores the importance of following the rules when it comes to protesting at UU. One of these rules is that protesters shouldn't be covering their faces.