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2024 University of Amsterdam pro-Palestinian campus occupations

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On May 6, 2024 University of Amsterdam (UvA) students established a pro-Palestinian protest occupation on the Roeterseiland campus to support Palestinians in Gaza and demand action from administrators.[6][11] This became the first in a series of pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses throughout the Netherlands. On May 7, 169 people were detained when the police used a bulldozer to break down the barricades after the protesters refused to leave.[6]

2024 University of Amsterdam pro-Palestinian campus occupation
Part of 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the Netherlands and Israel–Hamas war protests
Protesters reinforcing a barricade, May 7
DateMay 6, 2024 (2024-05-06) – present
(7 months and 18 days)
Location
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Methods
Casualties
Injuries9+[a]
Arrested210+[b]
Damageat least €1.5 million[c]

In response to the protests, UvA published a list of cooperations with Israeli institutions and universities.[12][13] The university estimated 1.5 million euros in damages after the first week of protests.[10]

Background

Escalation of protests

Further information: 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the Netherlands
These paragraphs are an excerpt from 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses.[edit]
Pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses started in 2023 and escalated in April 2024, spreading in the United States and other countries, as part of wider Israel–Hamas war protests. The escalation began after mass arrests at the Columbia University campus occupation, led by anti-Zionist groups, in which protesters demanded the university's disinvestment from Israel over its alleged genocide of Palestinians.[14] In the U.S. over 3,100 protesters have been arrested,[15] including faculty members and professors,[16][17] on over 60 campuses.[18] On May 7, protests spread across Europe with mass arrests in the Netherlands.[19][20] By May 12, twenty encampments had been established in the United Kingdom, and across universities in Australia and Canada.[21][22] The protests largely ended as universities closed for the summer.[23]

List of protests

These paragraphs are an excerpt from List of pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in 2024.[edit]
Thirty four encampments were established in the United Kingdom;[24] across universities in Australia,[25] beginning with the University of Sydney;[26] and in Canada, including an encampment at McGill University.[27] On May 7, protests spread further on European campuses after mass arrests at the University of Amsterdam campus occupation,[28] including occupation of campus buildings at Leipzig University in Germany, Sciences Po in France, and Ghent University in Belgium.[29] As of May 8, protests have taken place in more than 25 countries.[30] On May 13, approximately 1,000 Dutch students and university staff took part in a national walk-out.[31]

Timeline

May 6–7: First encampment, eviction, and second occupation

On May 6, 2024 University of Amsterdam (UvA) students gathered to protest at Roeterseiland campus, demanding the university to disclose and cut off its ties with Israeli institutes and corporations.[6] An encampment was erected on the lawn of the campus thereafter, encircled by barricades made of bricks, planks and ropes.[32] Later that night, a group of people in support of Israel sought out a confrontation with demonstrators at the encampment, throwing flares and fireworks at them. They were soon driven away by the demonstrators, while the police did not attempt to intervene.[33][34] The demonstration went quiet as the night deepened. Most protestors at the encampment rested in tents.[32]

After midnight on May 7, riot police and police dogs were mobilized to raid and evict the encampment. Bulldozers were implemented to demolish the barricades, and some demonstrators tried to fight back.[34] Physical conflicts between protestors and the police took place, followed by the arrest of 169 people,[35] including a member of the Provincial Council of Gelderland.[36] At least one protester suffered head injuries,[2] while a police officer got injured as well.[3] Most people left the scene by 4:30 am.[37] Around 4 pm, over a thousand people gathered at Roeterseiland campus of University of Amsterdam, condemning the reaction from the university to call on the police for the eviction of the encampment.[38]

 
The barricades at Oudemanhuispoort, May 7

Later on, the protesting people marched along Weesperstraat and ended up at Oudemanhuispoort campus of University of Amsterdam. The demonstrators soon took over the buildings and set another encampment inside. Paving bricks, bicycle racks, desks, planks and other objects were removed by demonstrators to establish barricades, which blocked all essential paths to the encampment. A number of supporters stayed outside the barricades and echoed the chanting from demonstrators settling in the encampment. The encampment lasted throughout the night without interference from the police.[32]

May 8–9: Second eviction and continued demonstrations

 
Overview of the Oudemanhuispoort barricades, May 8
 
Bulldozer demolishing a barricade, Grimburgwal, May 8
 
A demonstrator took the top of a traffic sign pole at Rokin and showed a Palestinian flag, May 8

The executive board of University of Amsterdam said in a statement on 8 May that a discussion between the executive board and protestors was held in the same morning, and another conversation was scheduled later in the afternoon.[39] Soon after, riot police broke into the encampment in the afternoon as barricades were demolished by bulldozers. Protestors inside the encampments were cornered and later on removed by the police. It was also reported by witnesses that some people got attacked by the police for now reason.[32]

With the eviction, a number of demonstrators moved to Rokin, in the vicinity of Oudemanhuispoort campus, and blocked Damrak, a main street in the city center of Amsterdam.[40] The demonstration at Rokin continued for hours, and was ended as the police charged towards the protesting crowds. Some crowds were dispersed as being chased by police vans, batons and police dogs. A number of them ended up at Rembrandtplein, where the demonstration slowly subsided.[41] 36 people were arrested by the end of the night, while at least five police officers and at least two protesters were injured,[4][5] though the specific number of injured protesters is unknown.[42]

On May 9, another protest was organised that again started at the Roeterseiland university campus of University of Amsterdam. Thousands of protestors went on to march through the city.[43] Three protestors were arrested by the police.[7] The university closed most of its buildings for the rest of the week.[44][45]

May 13–17: Third and fourth occupations and evictions

On May 13, after a national walk-out which was attended by approximately one thousand students and staff members,[46] students occupied campus buildings at the University of Amsterdam. Police in riot gear subsequently ended the protests in Amsterdam after "chasing away hundreds" of people,[47][48] and the university closed for two days after the renewed occupations on campus.[49] The Amsterdam protest continued at Oosterpark.[50] The UvA filed complaints against several protesters.[51] One protester was arrested; a criminal investigation was ongoing to determine if more arrests would follow.[8]

A pro-Palestine protest march was planned to pass UvA campus buildings on May 15. However, as an event by Booking.com was announced for this day, organisers decided to move the protest to the Booking.com headquarters.[52] Although there were no demonstrations the next day, the entrance at the Roeterseiland campus was defaced with red paint. This also happened during the earlier demonstrations.[53]

On May 17, a group of protesters gathered at a UvA building to set up a new tent encampment there,[54] which lasted about an hour and was ended after police in riot gear made their presence.[55] The group of student protesters joined a different protest elsewhere in the city, with who they marched to the Stopera, where they held a sit-in.[56] This demonstration was ended by police in riot gear as well, resulting in at least one arrest.[9]

May 18-29: Later protests

On May 25, about a hundred people held a peaceful demonstration at a UvA building at the Spui. Protesters spoke out against, among other things, Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema and the American support for Israel. They went on to march through the Rokin, Rembrandtplein, the Utrechtsestraat [nl] and ended at Achter Oosteinde [nl], where a squatted building was declared the "University of Gaza", and named after Shadia Abu Ghazaleh.[57]

A pro-Palestinian protest was held by UvA staff members on May 28.[58]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Although the municipal parties of GroenLinks, PvdA and D66 in Amsterdam have asked for clarification about the number of injured protesters and bystanders and despite various media reports and injuries, it is unknown how many more protesters may have been injured.[1] The number of injuries includes at least 1 protester and 1 police officer during the night between May 6 and 7,[2][3] and 2 protesters and 5 officers on May 8.[4][5]
  2. ^ 169 in the night between 6 to 7 May,[6] 36 on 8 May,[5] 3 on 9 May,[7] 1 on 13 May[8] and 1 on 17 May.[9]
  3. ^ This estimate number only includes damage to university property during the first week of protests. The number does not include damage caused to municipal property and to neighboring companies and individuals.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Veel vragen van alle partijen aan Halsema om UvA-demonstraties" [Many questions for Halsema from all parties regarding the UvA demonstrations]. Hart van Nederland (in Dutch). May 10, 2024. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Pro-Palestijnse demonstratie beëindigt op Roeterseilandcampus" [Pro-Palestinian demonstration ends on Roeterseiland campus]. 112 Nederland (in Dutch). May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024. In ieder geval één vrouw is bij de ontruiming gewond geraakt aan haar hoofd. [At least one woman suffered head injuries during the evacuation.]
  3. ^ a b "Eén agent gewond bij ontruiming protestkamp UvA, 125 pro-Palestijnse demonstranten opgepakt" [One officer injured during evacuation of UvA protest camp, 125 pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested]. de Volkskrant (in Dutch). May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "ME stopt protest Amsterdam: 36 arrestaties en 5 gewonde agenten, Rutte reageert" [ME stops Amsterdam protest: 36 arrests and 5 injured officers, Rutte responds]. De Gelderlander (in Dutch). May 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "36 aanhoudingen bij protesten Amsterdam, 5 agenten gewond" [36 arrests during Amsterdam protests, 5 officers injured]. Nieuws.nl (in Dutch). May 9, 2024. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Deutsch, Anthony (May 7, 2024). "Pro-Palestinian protest in Amsterdam turns violent after student rally halted". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Protesten in Amsterdam: Demonstratie bij Stopera ten einde, acht eerder opgepakte betogers langer vast" [Protests in Amsterdam: Demonstration at Stopera ended, eight previously arrested demonstrators held longer]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 10, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Tot nu toe één arrestatie vanwege demonstratie UvA-campus" [One arrest so far due to demonstration on UvA campus]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 14, 2024. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Een demonstrant aangehouden" [One protester arrested]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "University of Amsterdam says pro-Palestinian protests caused €1.5 million in damage". NL Times. May 12, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Pascoe, Robin (May 7, 2024). "UvA officials defend police action in ending Palestine protest". DutchNews.nl. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  12. ^ "Amsterdam pro-Palestinian student protest broken up by police". Reuters. May 8, 2024. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  13. ^ Amsterdam, Universiteit van (May 6, 2024). "Our collaborations with Israeli organisations". University of Amsterdam. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  14. ^ "US college protests: Who are the student groups and others involved". Reuters. April 30, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024. Among the lead student groups in the coalition are the Columbia chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine. The two decades-old anti-Zionism advocacy groups that protest Israel's military occupation have chapters across the country that have been key to protests on other campuses.
  15. ^ Taft, Isabelle; Lemonides, Alex; Gamio, Lazaro; Betts, Anna (July 21, 2024). "Campus Protests Led to More Than 3,100 Arrests, but Many Charges Have Been Dropped". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  16. ^ "Mapping pro-Palestine college campus protests around the world". Al Jazeera. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  17. ^ Treisman, Rachel (May 1, 2024). "How some faculty members are defending student protesters, in actions and in words". NPR. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024. It's one of several schools around the country where professors are getting arrested at demonstrations, circulating letters in support of arrested protesters and holding no-confidence votes in their administrations.
  18. ^ Rubin, April; Beheraj, Kavya; Lysik, Tory; Chase, Will (May 3, 2024). "Mapped: Where pro-Palestinian student protesters have been arrested". Axios. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  19. ^ Kassam, Ashifa (May 8, 2024). "Clashes and arrests as pro-Palestinian protests spread across European campuses". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  20. ^ "Pro-Palestinian student protests spread across Europe. Some are allowed. Some are stopped". AP News. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  21. ^ Tait, Albert (May 12, 2024). "Birmingham University threatens pro-Palestinian students with police action". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  22. ^ Regan, Helen (May 3, 2024). "Where pro-Palestinian university protests are happening around the world". CNN. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  23. ^ "Harris faces an 'uncommitted' quandary of her own". politico.com. Politico. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  24. ^ Devinder Bains (June 4, 2024). ""We're In It For The Long Haul": 4 British Students On Why They're Joining Campus Protests Across The UK". Vogue. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  25. ^ "Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampments at universities in Australia". AP News. May 3, 2024. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  26. ^ Dumas, Daisy (May 1, 2024). "Australian university students are camping out in support of Gaza. Here's what you need to know". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  27. ^ Regan, Helen (May 3, 2024). "Where pro-Palestinian university protests are happening around the world". CNN. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  28. ^ "Pro-Palestinian student protests spread across Europe. Some are allowed. Some are stopped". AP News. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  29. ^ Kassam, Ashifa (May 8, 2024). "Clashes and arrests as pro-Palestinian protests spread across European campuses". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  30. ^ "Mapping pro-Palestine college campus protests around the world". Al Jazeera. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  31. ^ "Amsterdam: Police move in after pro-Palestinian protesters occupy university buildings". Sky News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d "Protest UvA-campus: zo verliepen de eerste vier dagen van de pro-Palestinaprotesten in Amsterdam". Het Parool. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  33. ^ "Violence breaks out at pro-Palestinian protest at University of Amsterdam". NL Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Schoenmacker, Irene. "This is what happened last night in the tent camp on Roeterseiland". FOLIA. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  35. ^ Driessen, Camil (May 8, 2024). "Universiteiten geven meer openheid over banden met Israël, maar boycot gaat ze te ver" [Universities are more open about ties with Israel, but a boycott goes too far]. NRC (in Dutch). Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  36. ^ "Gelders Statenlid doet stap terug na aanhouding bij UvA-protest" [Gelderland Member of Parliament steps back after arrest at UvA protest]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 14, 2024. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  37. ^ "Police cart off Pro-Palestinian protesters at Amsterdam Univ.; 125 arrested". NL Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  38. ^ "Politie grijpt in bij pro-Palestijns protest in Amsterdam, ook elders demonstraties" [Police intervene in pro-Palestinian protest in Amsterdam, also demonstrations elsewhere]. NU.nl (in Dutch). May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  39. ^ "Update demonstrations at the UvA". University of Amsterdam. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  40. ^ "Demonstratie verplaatst naar het Rokin: politie houdt afstand". De Telegraaf. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  41. ^ "ME stopt protest Amsterdam: 36 arrestaties en 5 gewonde agenten, Rutte reageert". BD. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  42. ^ Van Suchtelen, Eline (May 9, 2024). "Na het geweld richt de woede zich op politie, betogers én het universiteitsbestuur" [After the violence, anger is directed at the police, demonstrators and the university board]. Trouw (in Dutch). Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  43. ^ "Pro-Palestijns protest in Amsterdam met paar duizend man voorbij" [Pro-Palestinian protest in Amsterdam with several thousand people]. NOS (in Dutch). May 9, 2024. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  44. ^ "University of Amsterdam says pro-Palestinian protests caused €1.5 million in damage". NL Times. May 12, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  45. ^ "UvA buildings will be open on Monday, work and lectures will go ahead". University of Amsterdam. May 11, 2024. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  46. ^ "Amsterdam: Police move in after pro-Palestinian protesters occupy university buildings". Sky News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  47. ^ "Amsterdam: Police move in after pro-Palestinian protesters occupy university buildings". Sky News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  48. ^ Saris, Karlijn; Willemsen, Marit (May 14, 2024). "Ook aan universiteiten Eindhoven en Nijmegen protest, besturen reageren wisselend op demonstraties" [Protests are also taking place at the universities of Eindhoven and Nijmegen, and administrations are reacting differently to demonstrations]. NRC (in Dutch). Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  49. ^ "Amsterdam University closes for two days after violent protests over Gaza". Reuters. May 13, 2024. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  50. ^ Van de Ven, Liam (May 14, 2024). "Pro-Palestijnse betogers in Amsterdam in Oosterpark neergestreken, sfeer is rustig" [Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Amsterdam settled in Oosterpark, the atmosphere is calm]. NRC (in Dutch). Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  51. ^ Ubbens, Charlie (May 14, 2024). "UvA doet aangifte en sluit gebouwen Roeterseilandcampus, waar ME ter plaatse is" [UvA files a report and closes Roeterseiland campus buildings, where riot police are on site]. NRC (in Dutch). Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  52. ^ "Pro-Palestijnse sit-in bij UvA verplaatst naar Booking.com" [Pro-Palestinian sit-in at UvA moved to Booking.com]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  53. ^ "Ingang Roeterseilandcampus beklad met rode verf" [Roeterseiland Campus entrance defaced with red paint]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 16, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  54. ^ "Tientallen demonstranten verzamelen zich opnieuw bij UvA-gebouw" [Dozens of demonstrators are gathering again at the UvA building]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  55. ^ "Demonstranten verlaten het Binnengasthuisterrein" [Demonstrators leave the Binnengasthuis area]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  56. ^ "Groepen demonstranten samengevoegd" [Groups of demonstrators have merged]. Het Parool (in Dutch). May 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  57. ^ "Pro-Palestijnse demonstranten bijeen in Amsterdam: verwijten Halsema en UvA medeplichtigheid aan genocide" [Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather in Amsterdam: accuse Halsema and UvA of complicity in genocide]. De Telegraaf (in Dutch). May 25, 2024. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  58. ^ "Peaceful demonstration at Roeterseiland". University of Amsterdam. May 28, 2024. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
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