Newcastle University is a member of AUCSO, which refers to the “Association of University Chief Security Officers”. Liberty Investigates has recently unveiled the contents of an email sent by AUCSO, Chair Oliver Curran, to members:
“I was extremely interested when I attended the [US campus law enforcement] conference on how they were handling the encampments and what lessons they had learnt.”
“Despite carrying out the instructions of their seniors, when things got tough the [campus police] chiefs weren’t supported, and in some cases were suspended/disciplined.”
The note then called for University Vice-Chancellors to support AUCSO members when taking action against protesters.
The “Newcastle Apartheid Off Campus” Instagram (@newcastleaoc) alleges that last year security confiscated 4 keffiyehs, tore down 3 flags and removed 100s of posters.
The account also details a clash on the 29th May 2024, when Northumbria police were called to campus as protesters occupied the Armstrong building.
A spokesperson said intimidation from security had included throwing chairs at protesters and stated that the “university manufactured a riot on campus…prioritising private property over the welfare of the students”.
Liberty Investigates estimated that 70 police officers also attended the 29th May protest, with staff accusing Newcastle University of “inviting police brutality onto our campus”, after officers used batons as one means of violence against protesters.
AUCSO Chair Oliver Curran said that after the US campus conference he “asked that [university vice-chancellors] continually provide the UK AUCSO members with the support we require” and that “the responses were extremely reassuring.”
Kevin Blowe from the Network for Police Monitoring said “Nobody needs to look to the US for examples of best practices – because there aren’t any,”.
113 University students and staff in the UK have faced disciplinary investigations connected to pro-Palestine protests since October 2023. A pinned post on Newcastle Apartheid Off Campus’ Instagram details 7 disciplinaries and 1 suspension at Newcastle University.
Gina Romero, a UN special rapporteur, described lobbying efforts connected to University protest responses as “deeply disturbing”.
“It is as if, overnight, many universities have become an absolutely hostile space for dissent and free expression, for the exercise of rights, and for learning.”
Newcastle University has updated its student charter to ban forms of protesting that are disruptive.