Newcastle University received 7 complaints regarding the Newcastle Apartheid Off Campus encampment present on campus last year, confirms a Freedom of Information request (FOI).
In a document released to The Courier containing minutes from an emergency management group (EMT)- comprised of staff from both University and the Students Union- confirmed 4 anonymous complaints were received regarding language used on the camp.
The encampment, which was located outside Northern Stage, was set up on May 1 2024. The Courier reported on the demands of the Encampment and the response that it garnered in the early stages, notably those of the University and the President of the Jewish Society.
When announcing the presence of the encampment, Newcastle Apartheid Off Campus referenced Newcastle University’s alleged ties to Leonardo S.p.A and declared their ‘solidarity with the people of Palestine and other students across the world who are rising up in solidarity with Gaza.’
However, as stated by one protestor, ‘the encampment was not the start of the student movement for Palestine’.
Last year saw a rally specifically challenging the University’s alleged ties to Leonardo S.p.A. after the company moved into the Newcastle Helix cluster creating a partnership involving Newcastle University.
The University stated ‘we have not invested in Leonardo as we do not invest in companies making armaments. As a university, we are committed to embedding environmental, social and governance criteria within our investment approach in accordance with our sustainability commitments'.
When questioned about remaining within a university who’s actions they disagree with, a protestor stated: ‘whilst I did contemplate leaving the University, and many of us did, I think that with our work, we have made them lose more money than they would with us just leaving.’
The protestor revealed they submitted an FOI request to the university to obtain figures on how much the encampment cost the university, however they are yet to receive an accurate figure.
The protestor went on to state that they believe that they will take out more than they have put in in terms of finances, by the time their studies conclude.
The response to the FOI request sent by The Courier also stated that there have been no disciplinary actions taken against students related to the encampment alone.
In response, a protester told The Courier a student’s ban from campus and disciplinaries given to 3 students, who were allegedly involved in the encampment, are believed to be rescinded.
Minutes released in FOI request response also stated that ‘disciplinary proceedings may be beginning for criminal damage’ after the Anthony Gormley statue, CLASP, was found with chalk marks. The statue is located between the encampment outside northern stage and the main entrance of the student union building.
This type of behaviour was labelled ‘decorating’ by protestors, and was recorded during the time the encampment was present on campus.
The continued presence of the encampment and their activity led to the University seeking to mediate. The minutes also confirmed attempts to set up meetings between the University and the protestors.
An external mediator, ADR, was recommended by the Student’s Union to help in these discussions.
The university also discussed, or considered seeking help from, multiple Think Tanks and external organisations. These included the Higher Education Policy Institute, a higher education think tank, and The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies.
This is not the first time that students have used continued presence on campus as a method of protest. As far back as 1972, reports of threats of sit-ins in the Civic Centre by students forced the Council into negotiations over the ‘multi-occupation’ issue.
More recently, in 2010, a group of students occupied the Fine Art’s building to protest changes to university funding made by the government.
They cited the emotional welfare of those involved as a reason for decamping. One protestor telling The Courier, ‘when you’re at the encampment, and you’re there day and night, you’re constantly grieving’.
Also cited was pressure from the University, as they wished to regain the space on which the encampment was held.
Another protestor told The Courier that the preservation of leverage was also considered during the closure of the encampment. They felt that decamping allowed the protestors to maintain pressure on the University, ‘via the spectre of future action’.
Those involved in the encampment have remained active on campus. During Fresher’s Week they publicly criticised members of the Executive Board during a rally outside the Arches.
They later organised a march through campus on the anniversary of 7 October, where they mourned those who have lost their lives in the violence in the Middle East.
Most recently, the group staged a ‘study-in’ and rally outside the Hatton Gallery after the travelling ‘All Shall be Afforded Dignity’ exhibit came to the Ex-Libris Gallery on campus.
