Skip to content or view mobile version

Home | Mobile | Editorial | Mission | Privacy | About | Contact | Help | Security | Support

A network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues.

Glasgow Uni liberated for Gaza!

GUoccupation | 10.02.2009 18:57 | University Occupations for Gaza | World

At 2pm yesterday, Glasgow University became the 24th Uni in the UK to be occupied by students in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Demands

Initial



We Demand...

1. Written confirmation that there will be no disciplinary, academic or legal repercussions for anyone involved in or supporting the occupation

2. That those involved in the occupation are guaranteed respect for their fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, and movement in and out of the occupied space

3. That the occupation is given uninterrupted access to electricity, water, internet access (including appropriate wifi passwords) and other amenities as appropriate

4. That the principal meet those involved in the occupation at the occupied space to discuss our substantive demands

Substantive

We Demand...

1. STATEMENT - That the University release a statement unequivocally condemning Israeli military action in Palestine, including the despicable bombing of the Islamic University of Gaza. The University should specifically denounce the attacks on civilians, the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of academic institutions, hospitals, places of worship and international peace keeping facilities. The University should encourage other universities to make such statements, as well as informing the UK and Israeli governments.



2. DEC APPEAL - That the University publicise the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for Gaza by way of a visible message on the main University website, an email to all students and staff and an announcement at all lectures on campus



3. BOYCOTT - That the University commences with immediate effect a boycott of all Israeli goods (including goods manufactured or supplied by Israeli owned or operated companies) on campus, including in particular Eden Springs water. Further, that the University bans all companies involved in the supply of military equipment to Israel (such as BAE Systems, the Smiths Group and Caterpillar) from all university premises, specifically recruitment events.



4. DISINVESTMENT - That the University disinvests from BAE Systems, Westland helicopters, Lockheed Martin and all other firms or affiliates involved in arms research, manufacture or supply. The University authorities should instruct all financial companies managing University endowment investments & pension schemes to ensure complete disinvestment of University funds from the armaments industry. Such disinvestment is particularly important in light of the fact that these weapons have been used to massacre civilians, commit war crimes and violate international law. Investing in such companies is completely unacceptable.



5. ETHICAL INVESTMENT POLICY - That the University alter its ethical investment policy to ensure such irresponsible and indefensible investment does not occur in future, and releases a statement affirming its commitment to peaceful research and investment in the community. The new ethical investment policy should be developed in dialogue with the student community, such conversation involving specifically the SRC calling an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).



6. FUNDRAISING - That the University hold a day of fundraising to raise money for the humanitarian effort in Gaza.



We demand that the University commit to a specific date on which fundraising will take place, such efforts being campus-wide and well advertised.



7. ACADEMIC AID - That the University provide academic aid to universities and schools in the Gaza strip, in the form of:
a) The donation of old books, computers and other surplus teaching/administrative/ educational resources, with the shipping of these resources being paid for by the University of Glasgow.
b) The establishment of a twinning programme with universities in Gaza, in solidarity with their plight



8. SCHOLARSHIPS - That the University set up a scholarship scheme which will provide full funding for at least ten Palestinian students to attend the University.



The Principal’s response in this regard is unacceptable. We demand that new scholarships be set up specifically for Palestinian students, in light of the incredible difficulty in securing education in Palestine at present as a result of occupation and recent military action.



9. BOYCOTT ISRAELI ACADEMICS – That the University refuse an academic platform to all Israeli academics who have refused to speak out in condemnation of the recent actions of the Israeli state in Palestine. The University must not become a locus for the dissemination of racist ideology and must take active steps to prevent the proliferation of misinformation. In developing an appropriate policy in this regard, the documentation of the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) will be relevant.



The occupation would like to make clear that the above demands are issued with the intention of expressing our condemnation of the actions of the Israeli state and in solidarity with the people of Palestine. They are in no way directed against or intended to injure the ordinary people of Israel, many of whom support this and similar actions which have taken place throughout the UK in recent weeks.

Demands

Initial



We Demand...

1. Written confirmation that there will be no disciplinary, academic or legal repercussions for anyone involved in or supporting the occupation

2. That those involved in the occupation are guaranteed respect for their fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, and movement in and out of the occupied space

3. That the occupation is given uninterrupted access to electricity, water, internet access (including appropriate wifi passwords) and other amenities as appropriate

4. That the principal meet those involved in the occupation at the occupied space to discuss our substantive demands

Substantive

We Demand...

1. STATEMENT - That the University release a statement unequivocally condemning Israeli military action in Palestine, including the despicable bombing of the Islamic University of Gaza. The University should specifically denounce the attacks on civilians, the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of academic institutions, hospitals, places of worship and international peace keeping facilities. The University should encourage other universities to make such statements, as well as informing the UK and Israeli governments.



2. DEC APPEAL - That the University publicise the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for Gaza by way of a visible message on the main University website, an email to all students and staff and an announcement at all lectures on campus



3. BOYCOTT - That the University commences with immediate effect a boycott of all Israeli goods (including goods manufactured or supplied by Israeli owned or operated companies) on campus, including in particular Eden Springs water. Further, that the University bans all companies involved in the supply of military equipment to Israel (such as BAE Systems, the Smiths Group and Caterpillar) from all university premises, specifically recruitment events.



4. DISINVESTMENT - That the University disinvests from BAE Systems, Westland helicopters, Lockheed Martin and all other firms or affiliates involved in arms research, manufacture or supply. The University authorities should instruct all financial companies managing University endowment investments & pension schemes to ensure complete disinvestment of University funds from the armaments industry. Such disinvestment is particularly important in light of the fact that these weapons have been used to massacre civilians, commit war crimes and violate international law. Investing in such companies is completely unacceptable.



5. ETHICAL INVESTMENT POLICY - That the University alter its ethical investment policy to ensure such irresponsible and indefensible investment does not occur in future, and releases a statement affirming its commitment to peaceful research and investment in the community. The new ethical investment policy should be developed in dialogue with the student community, such conversation involving specifically the SRC calling an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).



6. FUNDRAISING - That the University hold a day of fundraising to raise money for the humanitarian effort in Gaza.



We demand that the University commit to a specific date on which fundraising will take place, such efforts being campus-wide and well advertised.



7. ACADEMIC AID - That the University provide academic aid to universities and schools in the Gaza strip, in the form of:
a) The donation of old books, computers and other surplus teaching/administrative/ educational resources, with the shipping of these resources being paid for by the University of Glasgow.
b) The establishment of a twinning programme with universities in Gaza, in solidarity with their plight



8. SCHOLARSHIPS - That the University set up a scholarship scheme which will provide full funding for at least ten Palestinian students to attend the University.



The Principal’s response in this regard is unacceptable. We demand that new scholarships be set up specifically for Palestinian students, in light of the incredible difficulty in securing education in Palestine at present as a result of occupation and recent military action.



9. BOYCOTT ISRAELI ACADEMICS – That the University refuse an academic platform to all Israeli academics who have refused to speak out in condemnation of the recent actions of the Israeli state in Palestine. The University must not become a locus for the dissemination of racist ideology and must take active steps to prevent the proliferation of misinformation. In developing an appropriate policy in this regard, the documentation of the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) will be relevant.



The occupation would like to make clear that the above demands are issued with the intention of expressing our condemnation of the actions of the Israeli state and in solidarity with the people of Palestine. They are in no way directed against or intended to injure the ordinary people of Israel, many of whom support this and similar actions which have taken place throughout the UK in recent weeks.



The Uni have been very difficult and regardless of what we are calling for (which has been foremost for the Uni to promote the DEC appeal - www.dec.org.uk - and for it to break links with arms companies which sell weapons illegally, supported by petitions with over 1000 student/staff signatures), as a student I am appalled at the way they have acted. Our action is 100% peaceful, lawful and non-intimidatory and we have been open to negotiations from before and during the start of the occupation. The Uni management have refused to respond to our demands and petitions in writing. They have offered to let us send a small delegation to meet the Principal. However, while this might seem like a simple thing to do, in fact they have lied to us already in our talks with them and we are wary about meeting them on their terms. We have always said that Sir Muir Russell was welcome to come and talk to us in a peaceful and orderly meeting, as his representatives Susan Stewart (Head of Corporate Communications) and David Newall (Secretary of the University Court) have done. We also agreed to compromise and send a small delegation to meet Sir Muir in a neutral space in the Computing Sciences building, however this has also been rejected.

They have tried to isolate us and make us look like gung-ho idiots. We are here because we care passionately about the crisis in Gaza and we are taking the opportunity to do something about it. We see ourselves as representing many others who feel the same way. In the space of a few hours today, 321 students and 45 lecturers signed a petition supporting our action. We have also had messages of support from around the world, from MSPs, MPs, Trade Unionists, Academics and ordinary people. Most importantly, we've had this message from the Islamic University of Gaza, which is up on our blog:  http://www.glasgowunioccupation.blogspot.com/

We really need support. Please come to a demo at 11 tomorrow outside of the computing sciences building! There should be speakers including UCU officials and politicians.

Peace

GUoccupation
- Homepage: http://www.glasgowunioccupation.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Coverage
View and post events
Upcoming Events UK
24th October, London: 2015 London Anarchist Bookfair
2nd - 8th November: Wrexham, Wales, UK & Everywhere: Week of Action Against the North Wales Prison & the Prison Industrial Complex. Cymraeg: Wythnos o Weithredu yn Erbyn Carchar Gogledd Cymru

Ongoing UK
Every Tuesday 6pm-8pm, Yorkshire: Demo/vigil at NSA/NRO Menwith Hill US Spy Base More info: CAAB.

Every Tuesday, UK & worldwide: Counter Terror Tuesdays. Call the US Embassy nearest to you to protest Obama's Terror Tuesdays. More info here

Every day, London: Vigil for Julian Assange outside Ecuadorian Embassy

Parliament Sq Protest: see topic page
Ongoing Global
Rossport, Ireland: see topic page
Israel-Palestine: Israel Indymedia | Palestine Indymedia
Oaxaca: Chiapas Indymedia
Regions
All Regions
Birmingham
Cambridge
Liverpool
London
Oxford
Sheffield
South Coast
Wales
World
Other Local IMCs
Bristol/South West
Nottingham
Scotland
Social Media
You can follow @ukindymedia on indy.im and Twitter. We are working on a Twitter policy. We do not use Facebook, and advise you not to either.
Support Us
We need help paying the bills for hosting this site, please consider supporting us financially.
Other Media Projects
Schnews
Dissident Island Radio
Corporate Watch
Media Lens
VisionOnTV
Earth First! Action Update
Earth First! Action Reports
Topics
All Topics
Afghanistan
Analysis
Animal Liberation
Anti-Nuclear
Anti-militarism
Anti-racism
Bio-technology
Climate Chaos
Culture
Ecology
Education
Energy Crisis
Fracking
Free Spaces
Gender
Globalisation
Health
History
Indymedia
Iraq
Migration
Ocean Defence
Other Press
Palestine
Policing
Public sector cuts
Repression
Social Struggles
Technology
Terror War
Workers' Movements
Zapatista
Major Reports
NATO 2014
G8 2013
Workfare
2011 Census Resistance
Occupy Everywhere
August Riots
Dale Farm
J30 Strike
Flotilla to Gaza
Mayday 2010
Tar Sands
G20 London Summit
University Occupations for Gaza
Guantanamo
Indymedia Server Seizure
COP15 Climate Summit 2009
Carmel Agrexco
G8 Japan 2008
SHAC
Stop Sequani
Stop RWB
Climate Camp 2008
Oaxaca Uprising
Rossport Solidarity
Smash EDO
SOCPA
Past Major Reports
Encrypted Page
You are viewing this page using an encrypted connection. If you bookmark this page or send its address in an email you might want to use the un-encrypted address of this page.
If you recieved a warning about an untrusted root certificate please install the CAcert root certificate, for more information see the security page.

Global IMC Network


www.indymedia.org

Projects
print
radio
satellite tv
video

Africa

Europe
antwerpen
armenia
athens
austria
barcelona
belarus
belgium
belgrade
brussels
bulgaria
calabria
croatia
cyprus
emilia-romagna
estrecho / madiaq
galiza
germany
grenoble
hungary
ireland
istanbul
italy
la plana
liege
liguria
lille
linksunten
lombardia
madrid
malta
marseille
nantes
napoli
netherlands
northern england
nottingham imc
paris/île-de-france
patras
piemonte
poland
portugal
roma
romania
russia
sardegna
scotland
sverige
switzerland
torun
toscana
ukraine
united kingdom
valencia

Latin America
argentina
bolivia
chiapas
chile
chile sur
cmi brasil
cmi sucre
colombia
ecuador
mexico
peru
puerto rico
qollasuyu
rosario
santiago
tijuana
uruguay
valparaiso
venezuela

Oceania
aotearoa
brisbane
burma
darwin
jakarta
manila
melbourne
perth
qc
sydney

South Asia
india


United States
arizona
arkansas
asheville
atlanta
Austin
binghamton
boston
buffalo
chicago
cleveland
colorado
columbus
dc
hawaii
houston
hudson mohawk
kansas city
la
madison
maine
miami
michigan
milwaukee
minneapolis/st. paul
new hampshire
new jersey
new mexico
new orleans
north carolina
north texas
nyc
oklahoma
philadelphia
pittsburgh
portland
richmond
rochester
rogue valley
saint louis
san diego
san francisco
san francisco bay area
santa barbara
santa cruz, ca
sarasota
seattle
tampa bay
united states
urbana-champaign
vermont
western mass
worcester

West Asia
Armenia
Beirut
Israel
Palestine

Topics
biotech

Process
fbi/legal updates
mailing lists
process & imc docs
tech