University of Amsterdam closes for two days after Pro-Palestinian protest turns violent
MONDAY, 13 MAY 2024 - 22:51
University of Amsterdam closes for two days after Pro-Palestinian protest turns violent
All campuses of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) will remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday after the recent demonstrations there, the university announced on Monday evening. The Executive Board announced that they were unable to guarantee the safety of people at the university locations, and therefore all classes will be cancelled for the next two days, with the exception of the medical and dentistry program.
Those classes are taught in the academic hospitals and clinics, and not at the university campus buildings. The UvA said that it did not expect professors and lecturers would be able to quickly make the switch to online education, and told students to check the Canvas system for more information.
The university's leadership emphasized that Monday's demonstration at the Roeterseiland campus proceeded in an "orderly" manner. The demonstrators want the university to cut all ties with Israel, and were angered by the university's handling of protests last week. But the atmosphere immediately changed around 2 p.m. when people entered the building dressed in black and wearing masks. According to the university, that group caused "deliberate" destruction. The UvA has pressed charges against them for trespassing and vandalism.
"The Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam is shocked at the way a peaceful protest has been hijacked by violent elements who abused their own 'right to demonstrate' and deny the fundamental rights of others, including the media," the board wrote in a statement. "It is unacceptable that people who work or study at the UvA are harassed and threatened and have to leave their work or study place. No one is so right that this behavior is permitted."
The Executive Board said it will not allow any occupations, blockades, barricades or overnight stays in and around the university buildings. Last week's pro-Palestinian demonstrations caused damage worth 1.5 million euros, the UvA estimated.
This time, significant damage was again found in a building taken over by protesters on the university campus. An ANP reporter observed this from the 6th floor of the building, where the university's Executive Board has offices. The board members were not present when the demonstrators broke in.
Large television screens were smashed, and smaller computer monitors, windows, and sections of walls were tagged with red and silver paint. Statements such as "Free Gaza" and "Stop Genocide" were written. Automatic coffee machines were overturned, and boxes of junk food were pillaged from a small cafeteria area.
The protesters also left a significant amount of trash. Furthermore, chairs and other furniture were turned upside down and several barricades were erected. Jaap Weijermans, who heads up safety and security at the university, said there was "a lot" of damage.
The students who demonstrated behaved "properly" and adhered to all agreements. But then a group "ran" into the building wearing black masks and clothing, and caused destruction, Weijermans also said. There were signs of destruction also in the foyer of the building, where a barricade of furniture was set up just past the entrance. Protesters had also set up tents in the hall and scrawled text on the walls.
The board members also indicated that it is engaged in internal discussions about "collaborating with external organizations." According to the university, these conversations will be intensified in the coming weeks. A spokesperson for the university said the talks concern the frameworks for all collaborations, "and especially how to deal with countries in a war situation."
One of the demands from the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have occupied UvA buildings several times since last week is that the university sever all ties with Israeli institutions that participate in "genocide, apartheid and exploitation of the Palestinian people and their land."
