Police lock down Oxford University building and 'make arrests' during latest pro-Palestine student protests

23 May 2024, 15:03

Police have arrested students during an occupation of an Oxford University building during their latest protest over the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The demonstration took place at the University of Oxford's administration offices in Wellington Square, before police moved in to dispel the protests.

Students refused to move until they had spoken with Oxford's Vice Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey, demanding that the institution change its policies relating to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Several students were arrested by police, Oxford University's student paper Cherwell reported, as officers locked down the building with 14 student protesters still inside.

The protests were part of Oxford Action for Palestine's (OX4P) ongoing demonstration over the university's investment in companies linked to Israel.

Activists have been encamped in front of the Pitt Rivers Museum for some weeks in response to the war in Gaza.

Read More: 'The world needs to know': Grant Shapps urges Israel to reveal plan for Gaza after war with Hamas ends

Read More: Israel’s Eurovision singer Eden Golan ordered to stay in her hotel room for her safety during pro-Palestine protest

Students entered the building at around 8am Thursday morning before occupying the first floor.

Staff then evacuated the offices and alerted police, OX4P said. Students then hung a Palestinian flag from the window with a large white sheet listing their demands.

A “mass arrest” then took place, the group claimed, as it called on its followers to go join them at Wellington Square.

Around 150 people were outside the building as chants of "let them go" rang out throughout the demonstration in response to the arrests, the student paper reported.

The group also shouted: “40,000 people dead, you arrest students instead,” The Times reported.

People also bashed pots and pans together in an attempt to disrupt police.

Police, meanwhile, formed a barricade to stop any more protesters from entering the building. Other officers were seen recording video footage of protesters.

Several dozen emergency service vehicles were also nearby.

Thames Valley Police did not confirm any arrests but said in a statement: “We are aware of an ongoing protest at Oxford University this morning.

"We are in contact with the university and if anyone has any concerns then please speak to one of our officers in the area.

"Whilst we are dealing with this, we ask that any photos or video of the incident is shared with us and not on social media.”

A spokesperson for OX4P said: “Today Oxford students staged a peaceful sit-in to demand that the university meet with us after two weeks of non-response.

“Instead of engaging in dialogue with her students, the vice-chancellor chose to evacuate the building, place it on lockdown, and call the police to make arrests. We demand the administration meet with us to negotiate immediately.”