17:39PM: It is announced by protestors that Newcastle University Executive Board will have an emergency meeting "tonight". Protestors are hopeful that a face-to-face meeting with Vice Chancellor Chris Day will be held soon.
17:36PM: Numerous protestors have now spoken to The Courier regarding the core reasons behind today's protesting.
They have claimed that a meeting with Vice Chancellor Chris Day and other University officials was scheduled for May 7 and subsequently cancelled at short notice.
An alleged four hour meeting surrounding anti-semitism prevention training with the Union of Jewish Students is said to have taken place during the scheduled time. We are awaiting a response from the University regarding their perspective.
17:23PM: Speaking in front of the protest, a spokesperson has said: "We have been protesting at all four exits of this building since 12:30. We have backed the uni into a corner, and hopefully we will have a meeting soon".
He continued: "We are gonna stay here until we get answers... We have been undisruptive until now, so much so that people have not been hearing us... Today is about making sure that they hear us... We will not move until all seven of our demands are met".
17:10PM: The blockade has grown once more at the Level 2 entrance, as they await any further University statement and continue to rally.
Image Credit: Arthur Ferridge
17:03PM: No further update appears to have come from the University following the deadline. The protestors have now appeared to have altered the deadline 17:30 - potentially due to the University administration still in meeting.
16:58PM: The Courier has received a statement via Northumbria Police's media team:
Their spokesperson has said: "We are aware of an ongoing protest at Newcastle University and we are continuing to liaise with all relevant parties.
"Ensuring the safety of everyone, including those participating in the protests, other members of the public and our officers is always our utmost priority. As such, a proportionate policing presence has been in place.
“We would like to thank everyone involved for their support and cooperation so far during the demonstration. We will continue to support peaceful and lawful protest, but would, as ever, urge all participants to continue to be respectful of others and their surroundings.
“Anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty.”
16:52PM: Energy is once again picking up around campus with chants to: "disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest."
16:37PM: Protestors have now informed The Courier that they are under the impression University administrators are in an emergency meeting that began at half past four.
16:22PM: Every exit and entrance remains with protestors stationed. A widespread anticipation remains towards the 5pm deadline laid out in their demands.
15:53PM: Protestors appear energised at the Level 2 entrance as their chants continue, catching widespread attention of students passing by.
15:46PM: Leading protestors have told The Courier that they have received positive communication from the police, the Student's Union and the UCU.
They are now looking towards the 5pm deadline they have set for any indication of a meeting with Pro Vice Chancellors.
Another rally is expected to commence come 5pm.
15:26PM: Via megaphone, the protestors have outlined their demands once more: "we have until 5pm, if no Pro Vice Chancellors has arrived by 5, we will leave."
15:25PM: We are witnessing the protesters and police in clear co-operation, with both sides appearing to be civilised and on reasonable terms.
15:15PM: A protestor has told The Courier: "uni is saying no meeting today, protestors won't leave till they have a scheduled meeting this week in writing with a Pro Vice Chancellor."
Image Credit: Arthur Ferridge
15:10PM: Protestors are handing out refreshments as they continue to chant outside the Level 2 entrance to King's Gate.
Security has declined to give a comment about those inside capacity, but we continue to witness staff coming in and out.
15:05PM: A protestor via microphone has stated they want a response in writing from the University by 5pm.
14:55PM: Protestors are continuing to chant outside King's Gate while police personnel watch on.
14:38PM: The Courier has learnt police are now escorting the staff in and out of the building; they are not sending any protestors away.
14:36PM: Police are at every door with crowds growing. Protestors are being told to not talk with the police.
14:34PM: Students continue to chant, asking to meet David Burn immediately.
14:31PM: The Courier has now learnt of another group of protestors and police under the King's Gate bridge. This covers all known entrances and exits to the King's Gate Building.
Image Credit: Arthur Ferridge
14:30PM: Several officers have now arrived and are stationed at numerous points around the King's Gate Building.
14:29PM: A post on Instagram by the Newcastle Apartheid Off Campus raised alleged concerns into the actions of security.
14:28PM: A member of staff who works in King's Gate has told The Courier nobody is allowed in or out of the building: "they just want to get back to work."
14:27PM: A fourth police officer has arrived.
14:26PM: Three officers have now come to the alternative King's Gate entrance, they have yet to engage with the protestors round this side.
14:23PM: Police have arrived to the main door of King's Gate and are beginning to disperse protesters.
Image Credit: Arthur Ferridge
14:10PM: The protestors continue to chant in solidarity and for student power: "the student's united will never be defeated."
14:08PM: A member of the protest has now told The Courier they want to meet David Burn - the Pro Vice Chancellor of Medical Sciences.
14:07PM: Speaking to The Courier, Chiara, a Fine Art Student, stated she had a friend protesting.
She stated the actions "are really brave" and expressed concern to her friends over trouble with authorities.
She commended the protestors for "standing up" and "sticking to their point".
14:05PM: The Vice Chancellor, Chris Day, is understood to be in London today for an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This is alongside other University Vice Chancellors to discuss the encampment emerging across the country.
14:00PM: Numerous chants continue addressing the violence in Gaza and many now specifically mentioning Chris Day's name.
13:55PM: Outside of King's Gate they remain energised with a strong drum beat followed by chants of "Gaza!"
13:40PM: Protestors are now sitting down outside of King's Gate, showing no sign of moving along.
Image Credit: Sam Norman
13:35PM: A protestor has told The Courier that Vice-Chancellor Chris Day continues to "ignore us". They plan to stay until he agrees to speak at which point they aim for "one of our representatives to speak to him and convince him to accept our demands."
We are hearing reports Chris Day is in Westminster due to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak along with other Vice-Chancellors.
13:32PM: We are hearing protesters saying they aim to get "as close as possible" to the King's Gate doors. The group is now moving closer.
Image Credit: Arthur Ferridge
13:25PM: Speaking to students, a first year told The Courier they find the actions to be a "big statement".
"I think it's good in a way. It's quite disruptive".
Whilst acknowledging their own lack of knowledge in the current events, they addressed the situation is starting conversations.
13:20PM: A Durham University staff member on campus has told The Courier: "it is great what they are doing, there should be more examples of the solitarity on campus with Palestine".
He praised "every action that is lawful and peaceful taken to generate awareness".
13:20pm: The Courier has gone down to King's Gate. Protestors are heard chanting "shame" and their promise to "fight back."
Image Credit: Arthur Ferridge
13:10pm: Protestors have moved to block both entrances to King's Gate, moving into a barrier formation.
In response, King's Gate has locked it's doors.
Approx. 12:45: Protestors have now moved to King's Gate, rallying and chanting.
Approx . 12:30PM: Protestors have left the encampment and entered the Newcastle Student Union Building. They chanted down outside the Katie Adie Room during a meeting with University and Union officials.
