By PA News Agency-
A protest at Cambridge University against the war in Gaza has spread to a lawn outside Senate House, where members of the university have graduated since the 18th century.
Graduation ceremonies are due to take place this Friday and Saturday, according to the university’s website.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Protesters have vowed to continue until a set of demands are met.
The university said it would be “happy to talk with our students and engage with them” but it was “impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group”.
A protest encampment was set up outside Senate House at Cambridge University (Sam Russell/ PA)
An encampment outside King’s College appeared at the start of last week, and now activists have also pitched a ring of almost 20 tents on Senate House Lawn.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Palestine flags have been draped from the Grade II-listed urn in the centre of the lawn, and a white sheet has been fixed below it with “welcome to liberated zone” written on it.
The flags have also been taped to the columns of Senate House and to some walls, and a “please keep off the grass” sign modified so it reads: “please keep off Palestine”.
Protesters have vowed to continue until a set of demands are met (Sam Russell/ PA)
A banner has also been taped to the doors of Senate House which read “Refaat’s house”, and a number of protesters wearing face coverings sat by the door at the top of some steps.
The writer and literary scholar Refaat Alareer was killed in an air strike in Gaza City in December.
Professor Bhaskar Vira, pro-vice-chancellor for education at the University of Cambridge, said: “The University has been in regular and ongoing contact with students who have been impacted by the tragic events in Gaza and Palestine.
“We support freedom of speech and protest within the law.
“From the first day of this protest last week, with my colleague Prof Kamal Munir, we have been extremely clear that we would be happy to talk with our students and engage with them.
“To date we have received only anonymous emails.
“We remain ready for constructive engagement with our students, but it is impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group.”
A Cambridge student, who did not wish to be named, said last week that the protesters were demanding that the university “disclose all of its research collaborations and financial ties with companies and institutions complicit in Israel’s genocide and then to divest from these”.
“We will be staying here until our demands are met,” she said.
Image: Joe Giddens/PA
P.S: This article was published with the knowledge and approval of the PA News Agency
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar