Update: Protesters take over University building (From The Oxford Times)
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Update: Protesters take over University building
1:10pm Thursday 22nd January 2009 in News By Tim Hobden
About 100 students are protesting inside the Clarendon Building in Broad Street, Oxford.
It is thought a group went into the building at noon to stage a protest against Israel's current dispute in the Gaza strip.
Students have claimed to have seized control of the building in a protest over Oxford University’s links to Israel.
One said they were prepared to stay inside “for days, even weeks”.
They have released a list of demands to Oxford University, including:
- Releasing a statement condemning Israeli attacks on Gaza, especially the Islamic University
- Provide scholarships to five Gaza students
- Cease investment in BAE Systems, which protesters claimed, provided arms to Israel
- Provide resources to help rebuild Gaza University
- Demand Balliol College cancels a lecture series recently inaugurated by Shimon Peres, the president of Israel.
Comments(4)
occupiedoxford
says...
1:58pm Thu 22 Jan 09
http://occupiedoxfor
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DanOxford
says...
2:57pm Thu 22 Jan 09
Presumably the same mixed bag of third world immigrants, Islamic extremists and misguided Lefties who recently attacked Police and property in London and daubed racist graffiti on Jewish businesses and places of worship.
It's amazing how there were no similar 'outcries' when sweets were handed out in Gaza to 'celebrate' rockets killing Israeli civillians.
All that has prevented Hamas from slaughtering more Israelis is their lack of ability to do so. Unfortunately Hamas took a knife to a gunfight with Israel and the people of Gaza suffered the consequences.
This is an other example of people in the Uk suffering the consequences of allowing people to live in the UK who bring Third World problems with them, and for whom breaking the law is seen as an acceptable means of protest.
samuello
says...
1:54am Fri 23 Jan 09
You are clearly someone who has not read anything about either this conflict, the history of Oxford University or the demands of these protesters.
A civilian population that has been illegally starved to desperation and then shelled to oblivion will not and cannot reasonably be expected to act in what you may see as rational ways.
Hamas did not "take the knife to Israel". Israel broke the ceasefire with a raid on November 4 that killed 4 Hamas men. Israel gave them the knife and demanded that they slit their own throats with it, or else face the gun.
This thankfully international university, and indeed country, has a proud history of protest lead by people of conscience. Long may that be the case.
The demands of these protesters are far more humanitarian and pro-Palestinian than they are anti-Israeli. They are more than reasonable and make perfect sense.
READ UP.
Sophia
says...
6:57pm Fri 23 Jan 09
Oxford students are richer than most, how much have they given to aid Gaza? 26p you say? What self sacrifice!
Why should the University issue statements on international affairs? Or why not a statement on Dafur, Burma, Cuba, Ukraine - do we need a University Foreign Office
As for banning Peres visiting , one might think, what a perfect opportunity to accost him and get your views across and some media coverage. But no, we demand and we say this and that.
You say you 'claim' BAE supply Israel wth weapons. Well do they, and if so what? You dont know do you because you cant be arsed to find out.
Pathetic, the lot of you.
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