University of Amsterdam talks to occupiers

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) was occupied for the second time in a row last night. About 169 activists were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday for setting up a tent camp on university grounds. According to the National Student Union (LSVb) and the local student union (ASVA), the violence used by UvA against its students was "disproportionate." Some protesters were aggressive as well: one police officer was wounded. Two protesters are still behind bars.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday, however, UvA did not report the incident to the police, so there was no reason for the protesters to be removed from the area. Instead, they were invited to discuss their demands with the Executive Board. According to AT5, the meeting went well, but there is still much to be talked about.

"We understand that this police action has stirred emotions, and we have observed how this was peacefully expressed during the demonstration," writes the UvA administration in a statement.

Dialogue
Similarly to UU's email to students and staff this Wednesday, an earlier statement by UvA said the university partakes in the students' emotions. "We share the anger and bewilderment over the war, and we understand that there are protests over it. We stress that within the university, dialogue about it is the only answer."

UU's Executive Board wrote: "As a university, we share these concerns and feelings of sadness, bewilderment and helplessness about the violence resulting from this conflict. We sympathize with everyone affected by this conflict, from whatever side. We hope that this conflict ends as soon as possible." 

Europe
Similar protests have been carried out in other universities across Europe and the United States. Some of the occupiers have been allowed to stay, while others have been expelled by the police, according to the news agency AFP.