Open Letter Supporting Gaza Protestors
14 years ago
Friday, 30 January 2009
Organising meeting
There will be an important organising meeting tomorrow (Sat) at 2pm in the occupied lecture theatre. Please spread the word and make sure you're there.
King's Students March on Principal's Office
Today at 1.30pm 150 students left the strand campus and marched across Waterloo Bridge to the principal's office in the James Clerk Maxwell building.
Chanting 'KCL you must know / the doctorate has got to go!' the students delivered a petition to the principal demanding that he revokes Shimon Peres's honary degree.
The occupation and the building of support within the student body will continue until our demands are met.
pictures to follow...
Chanting 'KCL you must know / the doctorate has got to go!' the students delivered a petition to the principal demanding that he revokes Shimon Peres's honary degree.
The occupation and the building of support within the student body will continue until our demands are met.
pictures to follow...
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Nottingham and Bradford occupied
The universities of Nottingham and Bradford have now gone into occupation, proving that the wave of stuggle is still on the up...
Nottingham's blog: http://occupationnottingham.wordpress.com/
Nottingham's blog: http://occupationnottingham.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Program for Wednesday
We have now been occupying King's College for 8 days
11am- Organising meeting
2.15pm- John Chalcraft of the LSE and Martha of the Free Gaza Movement
5pm- David Summerfield from the School of Psychiatry
6.30pm- Stathis Kouvelakis, KCL lecturer in European Politics & Philosophy and Abdullahi Awwad, Palestinian journalist and media analyst
8pm - Organising meeting
Be there - room K.2.31 near the chapel!
11am- Organising meeting
2.15pm- John Chalcraft of the LSE and Martha of the Free Gaza Movement
5pm- David Summerfield from the School of Psychiatry
6.30pm- Stathis Kouvelakis, KCL lecturer in European Politics & Philosophy and Abdullahi Awwad, Palestinian journalist and media analyst
8pm - Organising meeting
Be there - room K.2.31 near the chapel!
Queen Mary joins the wave of university occupations
We have just received this message from Queen Mary:
Hi there,
I'm emailing from Queen Mary University of London. As of about half past nine this evening we started an occupation in solidarity of Gaza. Any support, advice, recommendations would be much appreciated. Here is a link to our blog http://queenmaryoccupation.blogspot.com/
Many thanks.
Queen Mary
Hi there,
I'm emailing from Queen Mary University of London. As of about half past nine this evening we started an occupation in solidarity of Gaza. Any support, advice, recommendations would be much appreciated. Here is a link to our blog http://queenmaryoccupation.blogspot.com/
Many thanks.
Queen Mary
Monday, 26 January 2009
What's on today...
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - 27.01.09
14:00pm Jim Wolfreys - King's UCU President (pc) and European Studies lecturer
16:00pm Yael - Israeli Activist from Islington Friends of Yibna (Palestinian refugee camp)
18:00pm Gill Kaffash on Israeli violations of International Law
and Naomi from Jews for Boycott of Israeli goods
ALL WELCOME
14:00pm Jim Wolfreys - King's UCU President (pc) and European Studies lecturer
16:00pm Yael - Israeli Activist from Islington Friends of Yibna (Palestinian refugee camp)
18:00pm Gill Kaffash on Israeli violations of International Law
and Naomi from Jews for Boycott of Israeli goods
ALL WELCOME
Sunday, 25 January 2009
King's students address BBC demo
King's College students Callum and Lubaaba spoke to tens of thousands of people in trafalgar square after the march from the infamous Biased Broadcasting Corporation. Here is their message of hope for the growing student movement in solidarity with the people of Palestine:
Shahrar Ali, Green Party
Shahrar Ali, Green Party
We're winning... now revoke the doctorate
After College management acceding to many of our demands relating to organising a fundraising day for Gaza, donating educational resources, scholarships and making links with Palestinian universities...
... we are now urging all of you to CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL: principal@kcl.ac.uk AND URGE HIM TO REVOKE SHIMON PERES'S DOCTORATE. CC all emails to kcloccupation@gmail.com.
Now that we have won many demands from College management, we have to ramp up the pressure on the issue of the doctorate - make sure you spread the word asap.
We are organising a WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL OF SHIMON PERES at 1pm today in the liberated space (K2.31, Strand Campus - near the Chapel).
Join the Facebook for the King's occupation at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=58062638627&ref=mf
... we are now urging all of you to CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL: principal@kcl.ac.uk AND URGE HIM TO REVOKE SHIMON PERES'S DOCTORATE. CC all emails to kcloccupation@gmail.com.
Now that we have won many demands from College management, we have to ramp up the pressure on the issue of the doctorate - make sure you spread the word asap.
We are organising a WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL OF SHIMON PERES at 1pm today in the liberated space (K2.31, Strand Campus - near the Chapel).
Join the Facebook for the King's occupation at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=58062638627&ref=mf
BBC Glasgow is now Occupied!
BBC HEADQUARTERS OCCUPIED IN SCOTLAND
Over 100 supporters of Scottish Stop the War Coalition and Palestinian groups
have occupied the BBC headquaters in Glasgow. They say they will not end their
occupation until the BBC has reversed its decision not to broadcast an
emergency aid appeal for Gaza. The protestors are demanding to meet with a
senior representative of the BBC.
Keith Boyd, one of the protesters occupying BBC Scotland's HQ, can be contacted
on: 07912348366
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Burgin
07939 242 229
Press Office
Stop the War Coalition
27 Britannia Street
London WC1X 9JP
www.stopwar.org.uk
An analysis of BBC's biased coverage of Israel/Palestine:
http://www.glasgowmediagroup.org/content/view/4/2/
Over 100 supporters of Scottish Stop the War Coalition and Palestinian groups
have occupied the BBC headquaters in Glasgow. They say they will not end their
occupation until the BBC has reversed its decision not to broadcast an
emergency aid appeal for Gaza. The protestors are demanding to meet with a
senior representative of the BBC.
Keith Boyd, one of the protesters occupying BBC Scotland's HQ, can be contacted
on: 07912348366
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Burgin
07939 242 229
Press Office
Stop the War Coalition
27 Britannia Street
London WC1X 9JP
www.stopwar.org.uk
An analysis of BBC's biased coverage of Israel/Palestine:
http://www.glasgowmediagroup.org/content/view/4/2/
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Meeting Sunday at 2pm
Dear King's students!
We invite all students to come by the liberated space Sunday at 2pm. Here we will have an important organising meeting.
The agenda:
- response to the principal
- update from working groups
- the question of nation wide coordination
- should we step up activities at King's and our PR-work
- the program for Monday and Tuesday (speakers: George Galloway/ Tony Benn?)
- other points
Hope to see you all there!
Free Gaza - condemn the massacre!
King's
We invite all students to come by the liberated space Sunday at 2pm. Here we will have an important organising meeting.
The agenda:
- response to the principal
- update from working groups
- the question of nation wide coordination
- should we step up activities at King's and our PR-work
- the program for Monday and Tuesday (speakers: George Galloway/ Tony Benn?)
- other points
Hope to see you all there!
Free Gaza - condemn the massacre!
King's
Letter of support from member of staff
Doing The Difficult
A Smart man once said:-
‘If you want to rise, you have to do the difficult,’
I believe in that then and I believe in it now.
It is simply not good enough to say when confronted with a point of view that it is unprecedented to revoke an honorary degree on the basis it has never been done. Just because it has never been done, does not mean it should not happen. The human race as a species would never have made the progress we had if someone didn’t take a risk, do the difficult, follow a theory or line of thought to produce the end result that has propelled us forward. Nothing was ever achieved by taking the easy route or path of least resistance.
It is right that over one thousand people, above all children, should be killed and maimed for no other reason that thirteen people of neighbouring nation were killed? Terribly as those thirteen deaths were, two wrongs do not make a right. And over one thousand innocent lives lost does not make it right.
Peace is in some respects an undiscovered country. For some a journey that has never been undertaken but one that must be made eventually. No one says it will be easy, for making peace is harder than making war. It is difficult. But if one is to rise, one has to do the difficult. The current situation in Gaza as well as elsewhere should not be happening. Oppressing innocent people, killing innocent people, especially children-The future of a nation is inexcusable. Especially in the twenty-first Century.
So Mr.Principal-Rise and do the difficult-Revoke the Honorary Doctorate-It is not held by an honorary man, nor one with honour.
Anonymous
A Smart man once said:-
‘If you want to rise, you have to do the difficult,’
I believe in that then and I believe in it now.
It is simply not good enough to say when confronted with a point of view that it is unprecedented to revoke an honorary degree on the basis it has never been done. Just because it has never been done, does not mean it should not happen. The human race as a species would never have made the progress we had if someone didn’t take a risk, do the difficult, follow a theory or line of thought to produce the end result that has propelled us forward. Nothing was ever achieved by taking the easy route or path of least resistance.
It is right that over one thousand people, above all children, should be killed and maimed for no other reason that thirteen people of neighbouring nation were killed? Terribly as those thirteen deaths were, two wrongs do not make a right. And over one thousand innocent lives lost does not make it right.
Peace is in some respects an undiscovered country. For some a journey that has never been undertaken but one that must be made eventually. No one says it will be easy, for making peace is harder than making war. It is difficult. But if one is to rise, one has to do the difficult. The current situation in Gaza as well as elsewhere should not be happening. Oppressing innocent people, killing innocent people, especially children-The future of a nation is inexcusable. Especially in the twenty-first Century.
So Mr.Principal-Rise and do the difficult-Revoke the Honorary Doctorate-It is not held by an honorary man, nor one with honour.
Anonymous
Please complain to the BBC for not airing Emergency Committe Gaza Crisis Appeal
Just got this e-mail:
I'm sure you have heard about the BBC's decision not to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Crisis Appeal. This is absolutely appalling and this must be changed.
There is a protest at the moment outside the BBC in Portland Place, sod's law that is on my train line but the trains are out...bastard Transport for London.
Anyway, please please try and make the protest and if not ring or telephone the BBC.
The telephone is 03700 100222, if you ring, make sure you leave contact details and say you WANT a response from the BBC.
However I urge you to complain online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
It's very easy, just follow the steps. Make sure you leave your email so the BBC respond to your complaint. Also, copy and paste your complaint before you send it off, in case the page expires.
Below is my complaint, feel free to use it, please change it a bit so it doesn't look suspect.
The reason it is not in paragraphs, is because when you send it off, it cannot be formatted.
I am appalled and disgusted by the BBC's decision to not broadcast the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal. The justifications provided by the BBC are simply not valid or good enough. The argument by the BBC that there are 'question marks about the delivery of aid' is not a justification for not showing the DEC appeal. That there may be difficulties in getting aid to recipients is true of any emergency appeal. In Burma and places affected by the Tsunami there was often great difficulty in getting aid to the needy, this did not stop the airing of a DEC appeal. The second argument made by the BBC, that the broadcasting of the DEC Gaza Crisis appeal will affect the impartiality of the BBC, is also unjustified and absurd. The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis, there are thousands of people urgently requiring medical attention, medication, food, electricity and other supplies. By refusing to show the DEC Gaza appeal, the BBC has in fact decided to politicise the issue; the very thing the BBC allegedly sought to avoid. The BBC cannot be accused of taking a side in the conflict by showing the DEC appeal; the Palestinians in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, the Israelis are not. Additionally I find it deplorable that the BBC has chosen not to follow the example of both ITV and Channel 4 to air the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal. Similarly the BBC should take heed of the comments of both the International Development Secretary (Douglas Alexander) and the Shadow International Development Secretary (Andrew Mitchell) who have called for the BBC to broadcast the Gaza appeal. I, like many others, wish to know exactly who is responsible for the decision to not broadcast the appeal. As a licence-fee payer, I feel these decision-makers should be held accountable for such an unjustifiable stance. It is not the BBC's right to dictate to the public which appeals should be donated to: the BBC should broadcast the Gaza appeal and allow viewers to decide individually whether they will contribute money to the cause. However it appears the BBC's Israel-centric reporting of the crisis in Gaza has now extended to the decision-making sphere. Over the last month, the BBC's coverage of the situation in Gaza has been deplorable, the BBC has become a platform for Israeli propaganda with Israeli spokespersons peddling the official Israeli line without much question or accountability. The BBC has tried to paint the situation in Gaza as a 'war' between two equal parties, both suffering and both to blame: this has been grossly inaccurate and misleading for the viewer. Even programmes such as Newsnight have failed in terms of fair reporting of the situation, with presenters having an insufficient grasp of the subject matter in order to question effectively the allegations, claims and propaganda of Israeli spokespersons. Similarly coverage of protests in London against the Israeli onslaught has been dominated by stories of violence and rioting - such occurences were on a small-scale and the participants were only a fraction of the protestors, yet they received much more coverage than the main protests. It is somewhat ironic that the BBC is arguing that the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal should not be shown so as not to jeopardise the BBC's impartiality, when the BBC has flouted rules of impartiality so many times over the last month in its reporting of the crisis in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is very grave and the broadcasting of the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal could do much to raise funds and alleviate the suffering of 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza. I would strongly urge the BBC to show the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal or else risk losing all public confidence in the institution.
I'm sure you have heard about the BBC's decision not to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Crisis Appeal. This is absolutely appalling and this must be changed.
There is a protest at the moment outside the BBC in Portland Place, sod's law that is on my train line but the trains are out...bastard Transport for London.
Anyway, please please try and make the protest and if not ring or telephone the BBC.
The telephone is 03700 100222, if you ring, make sure you leave contact details and say you WANT a response from the BBC.
However I urge you to complain online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
It's very easy, just follow the steps. Make sure you leave your email so the BBC respond to your complaint. Also, copy and paste your complaint before you send it off, in case the page expires.
Below is my complaint, feel free to use it, please change it a bit so it doesn't look suspect.
The reason it is not in paragraphs, is because when you send it off, it cannot be formatted.
I am appalled and disgusted by the BBC's decision to not broadcast the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal. The justifications provided by the BBC are simply not valid or good enough. The argument by the BBC that there are 'question marks about the delivery of aid' is not a justification for not showing the DEC appeal. That there may be difficulties in getting aid to recipients is true of any emergency appeal. In Burma and places affected by the Tsunami there was often great difficulty in getting aid to the needy, this did not stop the airing of a DEC appeal. The second argument made by the BBC, that the broadcasting of the DEC Gaza Crisis appeal will affect the impartiality of the BBC, is also unjustified and absurd. The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis, there are thousands of people urgently requiring medical attention, medication, food, electricity and other supplies. By refusing to show the DEC Gaza appeal, the BBC has in fact decided to politicise the issue; the very thing the BBC allegedly sought to avoid. The BBC cannot be accused of taking a side in the conflict by showing the DEC appeal; the Palestinians in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, the Israelis are not. Additionally I find it deplorable that the BBC has chosen not to follow the example of both ITV and Channel 4 to air the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal. Similarly the BBC should take heed of the comments of both the International Development Secretary (Douglas Alexander) and the Shadow International Development Secretary (Andrew Mitchell) who have called for the BBC to broadcast the Gaza appeal. I, like many others, wish to know exactly who is responsible for the decision to not broadcast the appeal. As a licence-fee payer, I feel these decision-makers should be held accountable for such an unjustifiable stance. It is not the BBC's right to dictate to the public which appeals should be donated to: the BBC should broadcast the Gaza appeal and allow viewers to decide individually whether they will contribute money to the cause. However it appears the BBC's Israel-centric reporting of the crisis in Gaza has now extended to the decision-making sphere. Over the last month, the BBC's coverage of the situation in Gaza has been deplorable, the BBC has become a platform for Israeli propaganda with Israeli spokespersons peddling the official Israeli line without much question or accountability. The BBC has tried to paint the situation in Gaza as a 'war' between two equal parties, both suffering and both to blame: this has been grossly inaccurate and misleading for the viewer. Even programmes such as Newsnight have failed in terms of fair reporting of the situation, with presenters having an insufficient grasp of the subject matter in order to question effectively the allegations, claims and propaganda of Israeli spokespersons. Similarly coverage of protests in London against the Israeli onslaught has been dominated by stories of violence and rioting - such occurences were on a small-scale and the participants were only a fraction of the protestors, yet they received much more coverage than the main protests. It is somewhat ironic that the BBC is arguing that the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal should not be shown so as not to jeopardise the BBC's impartiality, when the BBC has flouted rules of impartiality so many times over the last month in its reporting of the crisis in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is very grave and the broadcasting of the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal could do much to raise funds and alleviate the suffering of 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza. I would strongly urge the BBC to show the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal or else risk losing all public confidence in the institution.
Friday, 23 January 2009
Condemn the massacre
King's occupation sends greetings to all the other occupations!
We have been occupying since Tuesday and are staying until our demands are met. We are receiving hundreds of positive reactions from all over Britain, Europe and the Middle East.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Victory for Oxford!
Oxford have ended their occupation claiming victory after only 10 hours. Well done Oxford! More information to follow.
Demonstration on Saturday
Members of the KCL occupation will be addresing the crowd at Saturday's demo. We urge everyone to come and show your support for the people of Gaza.
Demonstration For Gaza: Saturday 24 January
Assemble 2pm, BBC Broadcasting House
Portland Place, London, W1A 1AA
(Nearest Tube Regents Park and Great Portland Place)
March to Trafalgar Square via Downing Street
Called by Stop the War Coalition, PSC and British Muslim Association
PS Shoe throwers of the world unite
Please bring shoes with a message for George Brown inside. A week ago Brown was supping with war criminals at Israeli prime minister Olmert's home and offering him the British navy to tighten the blockade on Gaza. What he should be doing is banning all arms trade and breaking off all diplomatic relations, following the terror bombing and invasion of Gaza.
Shame on Manchester Metropolitan
We have heard reports that the Manchester Met administration have locked the occupation inside and are restricting their access to food.
This is a gross violation of the Human Rights Act and Manchester Met should be ashamed of their dirty attempt to suppress students' freedom of expression.
Please email Professor John Brooks, Vice-Chancellor at
john.brookes@mmu.ac.uk and send your support to the occupation
Solidarity with Manchester Met
Free Gaza
This is a gross violation of the Human Rights Act and Manchester Met should be ashamed of their dirty attempt to suppress students' freedom of expression.
Please email Professor John Brooks, Vice-Chancellor at
john.brookes@mmu.ac.uk and send your support to the occupation
Solidarity with Manchester Met
Free Gaza
Leeds University
We have just received news that Leeds University is under occupation!
'At 4.30pm today around 30 people occupied the Botany House building (near the Student Union) at Leeds University in protest against the attacks on Gaza.
Our initial demands are:
University
Open the books to show which companies that back the Israeli state the Uni is investing in and/or receiving funding from.
Disinvestment from said companies
To Release a statement condemning the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
Surplus resources (computers, books etc) to be sent to students in Gaza
Scholarships for at least five Gazan students to study in Leeds
No repercussion, legal or otherwise for activists
Political
We call on the government to condemn the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
To expel the Israeli ambassador from the UK
For Israeli diplomats to lose their diplomatic status and be tried for their part in the attaks
Demand the government does not send any military support to assist in the blockade or attacks on Gaza
We stand in full solidarity with the Gazan people and protestors around the world, including the occupiers at other universities.'
'At 4.30pm today around 30 people occupied the Botany House building (near the Student Union) at Leeds University in protest against the attacks on Gaza.
Our initial demands are:
University
Open the books to show which companies that back the Israeli state the Uni is investing in and/or receiving funding from.
Disinvestment from said companies
To Release a statement condemning the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
Surplus resources (computers, books etc) to be sent to students in Gaza
Scholarships for at least five Gazan students to study in Leeds
No repercussion, legal or otherwise for activists
Political
We call on the government to condemn the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
To expel the Israeli ambassador from the UK
For Israeli diplomats to lose their diplomatic status and be tried for their part in the attaks
Demand the government does not send any military support to assist in the blockade or attacks on Gaza
We stand in full solidarity with the Gazan people and protestors around the world, including the occupiers at other universities.'
Our voice and solidarity broadcasted to the Middle East
Our actions, alongside those of other universities have been broadcasted to millions across the Middle East. Today we had Al Jazeera report on the movement at a press conference with speakers from LSE, Sussex and King's. In solidarity with those people we are posting a recording of an interview with a King's occupier by BBC Arabic radio. Keep up the movement, from London across the Middle East, SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIANS!
Shimon Peres- not welcome!
Oxford Students at their occupation express their disgust at a series of lectures inaugurated by Shimon Peres.
Ken Loach sends his support
Ken Loach has just phoned us and sent his support to us and all the universities who have gone into occupation.
Manchester Met Occupied
MMU Students are currently occupying lecture theatre 7 of the Geoffrey Manton building in solidarity with Gaza
MMU Students are currently in occupation of the Geoffrey Manton building. We are occupying the building in solidarity with the people of Gaza and to stand up to imperialism in the Middle East. We have issued a set of demands to the Vice-Chancellor (which will be posted here shortly), because we believe in delivering concrete solidarity for the people of Palestine. (Indymedia.org.uk)
The tenth university in 9 days! More information to follow.
This is growing and growing!
Free Gaza!
MMU Students are currently in occupation of the Geoffrey Manton building. We are occupying the building in solidarity with the people of Gaza and to stand up to imperialism in the Middle East. We have issued a set of demands to the Vice-Chancellor (which will be posted here shortly), because we believe in delivering concrete solidarity for the people of Palestine. (Indymedia.org.uk)
The tenth university in 9 days! More information to follow.
This is growing and growing!
Free Gaza!
Newcastle goes into occupation
We have just heard Newcastle university have gone into occupation!
More information to follow
Another Guardian article on the occupations
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/22/studentpolitics-londonschoolofeconomics
So 9 universities in 9 days...
SOAS
LSE
Essex
King's
Birmingham
Sussex
Warwick
Oxford
Newcastle
More information to follow
Another Guardian article on the occupations
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/22/studentpolitics-londonschoolofeconomics
So 9 universities in 9 days...
SOAS
LSE
Essex
King's
Birmingham
Sussex
Warwick
Oxford
Newcastle
Principal responds....and we reply
Dear ‘Campaigners’
I am responding to your demands over the College’s position over the situation in the Middle East.
Firstly, allow me say [sic] that I fully understand your concerns over the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in Gaza, and the escalation of violence that has led to many deaths. Furthermore, recent calls for an investigation into alleged war crimes are, as you remark, very alarming.
I will address the issues you raise individually:
1. The College has made no formal statement on the situation in Gaza and like most universities, does not see its role as to condemn any independent nation state. However, the College concurs with the recent statement by Universities UK, of which I am currently the President, which represents the sector:
Professor Rick Trainor, President, Universities UK, said: ‘Universities UK supports calls for an end to the conflict in and beyond Gaza. We are particularly aware that many of the civilian have occurred in educational establishments.
The UK’s universities are resolutely committed to the right to education, enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Higher education, in particular, is a global activity and we value our academic links with universities all over the world. The international nature of higher education means it is a force for understanding, tolerance and respect between peoples.’
2. As I have said in previous correspondence to some of you, the Council of King’s decided to confer an honorary doctorate of Laws on Shimon Peres, on the occasion of his visit in November 2008 to the UK, during which he was received by the Prime Minister and the Queen. This award was made before the recent tragic events which have unfolded in Gaza and cannot therefore be seen as any kind of endorsement of recent actions, and was in recognition of the past efforts of Mr Peres to find a peaceful solution to conflicts in the Middle East, which led to him being awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. I have made the Chairman of Council aware of your concerns. However, Council has no plans to consider the unprecedented step of revoking the award.
3. There already exist a number of funded scholarships for which Palestinians are eligible. Also, the College supports the efforts of Universities UK (following a visit to the Palestinian territories and to Israel in October 2007 which I led in my role as President of Universities UK) to increase contact, including scholarships for Palestinian students to come to Britain, between UK universities and their Palestinian counterparts.
4. I am happy to support the facilitation of any such student-led fundraising.
5. We have an ongoing programme of establishing links with other universities. I will discuss with colleagues whether such links as you suggest are appropriate and worthwhile to both parties.
6. The issue of ethical investment is a complex one and all investment issues are scrutinized by the Investment Sub Committee of the Council’s Finance Committee.
7. I am encouraging colleagues to look into this.
8. Insofar as those students involved act within the boundaries of the law and do not unduly hinder the teaching and research of the College, there will be no repercussions against the students involved.
As you know, the College has a long tradition of expertise in international relations, and expects to make a major contribution to the understanding of conflict in the Middle East, particularly at this crucial time. To this end it is imperative that senior members of all sides are engaged with King’s. Since the Peres award, for instance, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Professor Manuel Hassassian, has given a talk at the College. This followed on from the launch at King’s, earlier in 2008, of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR), an innovative initiative in which Arab and Israeli academic institutions are openly collaborating.
I am sure you will agree that collaboration and dialogue are the only way forward in finding a lasting solution to this crisis.
I hope this is helpful.
Professor Rick Trainor
Principal
OUR RESPONSE
Dear Principal
Thank you for your prompt response to our action and demands. As you have addressed our concerns individually, we shall respond likewise.
1) By asking for an official condemnation of the events in Gaza, we are not asking if you are aware of the situation; this is of course beyond doubt. Rather, we are asking for a public response from King's College. As an institution of higher education, King's College can have a major influence, and thus also has a responsibility in this regard.
We therefore continue to demand a condemnation of Israel's disproportionate actions, the harm inflicted upon the civilians of Gaza, and the attacks upon educational institutions. We are, of course, not asking for the condemnation of an independent state as such.
2) We are aware that the revocation of an award is unprecedented at this institution. However, that fact alone is not sufficient ground to refuse our request. Until Tuesday, it was unprecedented for an African American to be President of the United States. Things change, and so do precedents.
We could draw your attention to Shimon Peres' record:
* His involvement in the Qana massacre of 1996 in which 106 civilians were killed and around 116 injured.
* Arms dealing with South Africa whilst an international embargo was in place.
* His comments at a press conference last week suggesting that the deaths of Palestinian children in the current conflict were caused by Palestinians not looking after their children.
* Peres has repeatedly boasted of the 'privilege' of introducing weapons of mass destruction to the Middle East[1]. (This, alone, is the greatest threat to long term stability in the Middle East and makes it all the more unacceptable that he has been awarded an honorary doctorate for his efforts to find 'peace' in the area.)
It is this record that makes Shimon Peres an unworthy recipient of an award from King's College and a poor ambassador for our school. It is this record that concerns us and it is for this reason we demand the revocation of the award.
3) We appreciate that Palestinian students already have the opportunity to study at King's. This does not, however, address the specific, desperate situation of Palestinian students. We ask for Scholarships specifically funded by King's College for Palestinians. This would begin to redress the obstacles Palestinian students face and make concrete the support for Palestinians in the wider King's community.
4) We are glad your office is willing to facilitate cross-campus fundraising, and look forward to working out the specifics of its implementation with you.
5) We are glad you are discussing establishing links with educational institutions affected by the crisis in Gaza. We would like to be updated regarding the course of those discussions. We do not doubt that the establishment of such links would be worthwhile and wish these to be publicised in staff and student communications.
6) We are glad that all investment issues are scrutinised at King's, but there is a huge lack of transparency in this process. We demand that King's openly acknowledge any investment made in arms companies doing business with the state of Israel, and divest itself of such investments. As fee-paying students we have a right to know where our money is invested.
7) We are glad that you are encouraging colleagues to look into the donation of resources to universities and schools in the Gaza strip. We wish a more concrete commitment from you to ensure that such resources are donated, and would be willing to co-ordinate student participation in the implementation of this.
8) We are glad of your assurance that there will be no censure against law-abiding students involved. You should be aware that we are not barring lecturers from teaching or students from attending lectures in K2.31. We encourage students and staff to continue to use K2.31 for the normal work of the College. Our doors remain open.
We believe that the quality of a university is measured by its openness, the involvement of its student body, and its willingness to engage critically in debate. We are therefore very concerned at the presence of security guards directly outside our doors. This checkpoint has distressed many of our participants, and is felt by many to amount to harassment. It is a barrier to openness, involvement and free exchange of ideas. Further to this, we do not consider the barring of journalists legitimate. We have had enquiries from many local and national media outlets, including Channel 4, the BBC, the Guardian, and the Times. To bar these journalists from access to K2.31 amounts to barring the British public from this institution and from this story, which is clearly of interest to that public. We demand that journalists be allowed access to K2.31
The occupation of K2.31 is democratically and collectively conducted by all participants. We believe that a university should be a public space in which freedom of expression, assembly and engagement with the outside world are encouraged.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
[1] The Guardian,"This war has taught us that Israel must revive its military approach", Monday 4th September 2006
I am responding to your demands over the College’s position over the situation in the Middle East.
Firstly, allow me say [sic] that I fully understand your concerns over the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in Gaza, and the escalation of violence that has led to many deaths. Furthermore, recent calls for an investigation into alleged war crimes are, as you remark, very alarming.
I will address the issues you raise individually:
1. The College has made no formal statement on the situation in Gaza and like most universities, does not see its role as to condemn any independent nation state. However, the College concurs with the recent statement by Universities UK, of which I am currently the President, which represents the sector:
Professor Rick Trainor, President, Universities UK, said: ‘Universities UK supports calls for an end to the conflict in and beyond Gaza. We are particularly aware that many of the civilian have occurred in educational establishments.
The UK’s universities are resolutely committed to the right to education, enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Higher education, in particular, is a global activity and we value our academic links with universities all over the world. The international nature of higher education means it is a force for understanding, tolerance and respect between peoples.’
2. As I have said in previous correspondence to some of you, the Council of King’s decided to confer an honorary doctorate of Laws on Shimon Peres, on the occasion of his visit in November 2008 to the UK, during which he was received by the Prime Minister and the Queen. This award was made before the recent tragic events which have unfolded in Gaza and cannot therefore be seen as any kind of endorsement of recent actions, and was in recognition of the past efforts of Mr Peres to find a peaceful solution to conflicts in the Middle East, which led to him being awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. I have made the Chairman of Council aware of your concerns. However, Council has no plans to consider the unprecedented step of revoking the award.
3. There already exist a number of funded scholarships for which Palestinians are eligible. Also, the College supports the efforts of Universities UK (following a visit to the Palestinian territories and to Israel in October 2007 which I led in my role as President of Universities UK) to increase contact, including scholarships for Palestinian students to come to Britain, between UK universities and their Palestinian counterparts.
4. I am happy to support the facilitation of any such student-led fundraising.
5. We have an ongoing programme of establishing links with other universities. I will discuss with colleagues whether such links as you suggest are appropriate and worthwhile to both parties.
6. The issue of ethical investment is a complex one and all investment issues are scrutinized by the Investment Sub Committee of the Council’s Finance Committee.
7. I am encouraging colleagues to look into this.
8. Insofar as those students involved act within the boundaries of the law and do not unduly hinder the teaching and research of the College, there will be no repercussions against the students involved.
As you know, the College has a long tradition of expertise in international relations, and expects to make a major contribution to the understanding of conflict in the Middle East, particularly at this crucial time. To this end it is imperative that senior members of all sides are engaged with King’s. Since the Peres award, for instance, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Professor Manuel Hassassian, has given a talk at the College. This followed on from the launch at King’s, earlier in 2008, of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR), an innovative initiative in which Arab and Israeli academic institutions are openly collaborating.
I am sure you will agree that collaboration and dialogue are the only way forward in finding a lasting solution to this crisis.
I hope this is helpful.
Professor Rick Trainor
Principal
OUR RESPONSE
Dear Principal
Thank you for your prompt response to our action and demands. As you have addressed our concerns individually, we shall respond likewise.
1) By asking for an official condemnation of the events in Gaza, we are not asking if you are aware of the situation; this is of course beyond doubt. Rather, we are asking for a public response from King's College. As an institution of higher education, King's College can have a major influence, and thus also has a responsibility in this regard.
We therefore continue to demand a condemnation of Israel's disproportionate actions, the harm inflicted upon the civilians of Gaza, and the attacks upon educational institutions. We are, of course, not asking for the condemnation of an independent state as such.
2) We are aware that the revocation of an award is unprecedented at this institution. However, that fact alone is not sufficient ground to refuse our request. Until Tuesday, it was unprecedented for an African American to be President of the United States. Things change, and so do precedents.
We could draw your attention to Shimon Peres' record:
* His involvement in the Qana massacre of 1996 in which 106 civilians were killed and around 116 injured.
* Arms dealing with South Africa whilst an international embargo was in place.
* His comments at a press conference last week suggesting that the deaths of Palestinian children in the current conflict were caused by Palestinians not looking after their children.
* Peres has repeatedly boasted of the 'privilege' of introducing weapons of mass destruction to the Middle East[1]. (This, alone, is the greatest threat to long term stability in the Middle East and makes it all the more unacceptable that he has been awarded an honorary doctorate for his efforts to find 'peace' in the area.)
It is this record that makes Shimon Peres an unworthy recipient of an award from King's College and a poor ambassador for our school. It is this record that concerns us and it is for this reason we demand the revocation of the award.
3) We appreciate that Palestinian students already have the opportunity to study at King's. This does not, however, address the specific, desperate situation of Palestinian students. We ask for Scholarships specifically funded by King's College for Palestinians. This would begin to redress the obstacles Palestinian students face and make concrete the support for Palestinians in the wider King's community.
4) We are glad your office is willing to facilitate cross-campus fundraising, and look forward to working out the specifics of its implementation with you.
5) We are glad you are discussing establishing links with educational institutions affected by the crisis in Gaza. We would like to be updated regarding the course of those discussions. We do not doubt that the establishment of such links would be worthwhile and wish these to be publicised in staff and student communications.
6) We are glad that all investment issues are scrutinised at King's, but there is a huge lack of transparency in this process. We demand that King's openly acknowledge any investment made in arms companies doing business with the state of Israel, and divest itself of such investments. As fee-paying students we have a right to know where our money is invested.
7) We are glad that you are encouraging colleagues to look into the donation of resources to universities and schools in the Gaza strip. We wish a more concrete commitment from you to ensure that such resources are donated, and would be willing to co-ordinate student participation in the implementation of this.
8) We are glad of your assurance that there will be no censure against law-abiding students involved. You should be aware that we are not barring lecturers from teaching or students from attending lectures in K2.31. We encourage students and staff to continue to use K2.31 for the normal work of the College. Our doors remain open.
We believe that the quality of a university is measured by its openness, the involvement of its student body, and its willingness to engage critically in debate. We are therefore very concerned at the presence of security guards directly outside our doors. This checkpoint has distressed many of our participants, and is felt by many to amount to harassment. It is a barrier to openness, involvement and free exchange of ideas. Further to this, we do not consider the barring of journalists legitimate. We have had enquiries from many local and national media outlets, including Channel 4, the BBC, the Guardian, and the Times. To bar these journalists from access to K2.31 amounts to barring the British public from this institution and from this story, which is clearly of interest to that public. We demand that journalists be allowed access to K2.31
The occupation of K2.31 is democratically and collectively conducted by all participants. We believe that a university should be a public space in which freedom of expression, assembly and engagement with the outside world are encouraged.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
[1] The Guardian,"This war has taught us that Israel must revive its military approach", Monday 4th September 2006
Oxford University Has Now Gone Into Occupation!
http://occupiedoxford.wordpress.com
Solidarity from King's !
Solidarity from King's !
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
King's Enters Third Day of Occupation
Schedule for Today:
11 am Press Conference
3pm Simon Assaf (Middle East correspondent from Socialist Worker newspaper)
5pm Ruth Taner(War on Want)
6pm Dr Ghada Karmi (Human Rights activist)
7.30pm Co-coordinating meeting
All Welcome!
11 am Press Conference
3pm Simon Assaf (Middle East correspondent from Socialist Worker newspaper)
5pm Ruth Taner(War on Want)
6pm Dr Ghada Karmi (Human Rights activist)
7.30pm Co-coordinating meeting
All Welcome!
Desmond Tutu sends his support to King's Occupation
King's alumnus has sent his support to the KCL occupation
'Dear Friends,
Thank you for your communication. I have emailed Prof Trainor to obtain his side of the story.That will determine my next step.
God bless you in your stand for justice,
+Desmond Tutu.'
'Dear Friends,
Thank you for your communication. I have emailed Prof Trainor to obtain his side of the story.That will determine my next step.
God bless you in your stand for justice,
+Desmond Tutu.'
Warwick University Under Occupation
Warwick University have gone into occupation! We send them our solidarity.
http://warwicksolidaritysitin.wordpress.com/
http://warwicksolidaritysitin.wordpress.com/
King's Occupation in The Guardian
Article in The Guardian about the King's occupation!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/21/kingscollegelondon-gaza-protest
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/21/kingscollegelondon-gaza-protest
Why King's Must Revoke Shimon Peres' Honorary Doctorate
Shimon Peres in his own words
Transcript
'Many Palestinian children are being killed, almost no Israeli children are being killed. Why? Because we look after our children'
This is symptomatic of the racist and callous response of Shimon Peres to the deaths of over 300 children in the last two weeks. This is the man who King's have awarded for his 'efforts' for 'peace'. How can Palestinians protect their children against the bombs the IDF dropped onto Gaza? This sickening statement by Peres demonstrates the attitude to the plight of the Palestian people that the Israeli state espouses, and that King's College have little problem applauding.
If any other statesman said this, they would be condemned internationally.
Yet, instead of condemnation, there is largely silence.
King's College should be ashamed of awarding this man an honorary doctorate, and then defending its decision to do so.
REVOKE SHIMON PERES' HONORARY DOCTORATE
FREE GAZA
Links
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=14654
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9983.shtml
Transcript
'Many Palestinian children are being killed, almost no Israeli children are being killed. Why? Because we look after our children'
This is symptomatic of the racist and callous response of Shimon Peres to the deaths of over 300 children in the last two weeks. This is the man who King's have awarded for his 'efforts' for 'peace'. How can Palestinians protect their children against the bombs the IDF dropped onto Gaza? This sickening statement by Peres demonstrates the attitude to the plight of the Palestian people that the Israeli state espouses, and that King's College have little problem applauding.
If any other statesman said this, they would be condemned internationally.
Yet, instead of condemnation, there is largely silence.
King's College should be ashamed of awarding this man an honorary doctorate, and then defending its decision to do so.
REVOKE SHIMON PERES' HONORARY DOCTORATE
FREE GAZA
Links
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=14654
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9983.shtml
King's Enters Second Day of Occupation
This morning we received messages of support from the An Najah National University in Palestine, and Cairo university. Manchester Trade Unions Council have sent their support and solidarity to us and all other universities in occupation.
Today's Schedule:
Lindsey German, convenor of Stop The War Coalition, will be speaking at 11 am
Neil Cafferty, from the Socialist Party (which has sister groups in Lebanon and Israel) will be speaking at 2pm
There will be a workshop entitled 'How Can We Defeat the Siege of Gaza?' at 4pm
John Rose, author of 'The Myths of Zionism', will be speaking at 5pm
Today's Schedule:
Lindsey German, convenor of Stop The War Coalition, will be speaking at 11 am
Neil Cafferty, from the Socialist Party (which has sister groups in Lebanon and Israel) will be speaking at 2pm
There will be a workshop entitled 'How Can We Defeat the Siege of Gaza?' at 4pm
John Rose, author of 'The Myths of Zionism', will be speaking at 5pm
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Video of Gaza Rally on Saturday
Young people in the anti-war movement talk about occupation and protest (from 3mins in)
Tony Benn Sends His Support
Tony Benn phoned us in occupation today, expressing his 'full solidarity' with all the students at King's who are taking action to oppose Shimon Peres' honorary doctorate and highlight the suffering of the people of Gaza.
Today and tomorrow...
Lecture theatre K2.31 was packed with 90 students this afternoon in solidarity with Gaza, who came to hear talks by Professor Johnathan Rosenhead, Professor Alex Callinicos and Mike Cusham.
Schedule for Tomorrow:
Lindsey German, convenor of Stop The War Coalition, will be speaking at 11 am
Neil Cafferty, from the Socialist Party (which has sister groups in Lebanon and Israel) will be speaking at 2pm
There will be a workshop entitled 'How Can We Defeat the Siege of Gaza?' at 4pm
John Rose, author of 'The Myths of Zionism', will be speaking at 5pm
See you there!
Schedule for Tomorrow:
Lindsey German, convenor of Stop The War Coalition, will be speaking at 11 am
Neil Cafferty, from the Socialist Party (which has sister groups in Lebanon and Israel) will be speaking at 2pm
There will be a workshop entitled 'How Can We Defeat the Siege of Gaza?' at 4pm
John Rose, author of 'The Myths of Zionism', will be speaking at 5pm
See you there!
Sussex Goes into Occupation
Sussex University have gone into occupation!
Over 80 students are currently staying the night. More information to follow!
Over 80 students are currently staying the night. More information to follow!
Indy Media
publication of our press release on indymedia.org
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2009/01/919668.shtml
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2009/01/919668.shtml
Talks in Solidarity with Gaza this afternoon
Professor Jonathan Rosenhead, from LSE and the organising committee of British Committee for Universities for Palestine, will speak at 2pm in K 2.31
Professor Alex Callinicos, director of European Studies at King's, will be speaking in the occupied lecture theatre (K2.31) at 3pm.
Mike Cushman, from Jews for Justice, will be speaking in the occupied space (K2.31) at 5pm.
Professor Alex Callinicos, director of European Studies at King's, will be speaking in the occupied lecture theatre (K2.31) at 3pm.
Mike Cushman, from Jews for Justice, will be speaking in the occupied space (K2.31) at 5pm.
Birmingham Students Occupy in Solidarity with Gaza
We have just heard that students at Birmingham University have also occupied on campus in solidarity with Gaza. More information to follow.
Solidarity from King's!
Solidarity from King's!
King's Allow Students to Join occupation
King's have now allowed people to join the occupation. Please come and show your support!
Our Demands
Students from King's College London have begun an occupation in an urgent move to demand action from the institution. The move comes in light of the King's College Council's decision to award President Shimon Peres with an honorary doctorate, for the apparent recognition of his "peaceful solution to conflicts in the Middle East”, in November 2008. We believe that it is highly irresponsible for a college of this standing to give out honours to individuals of such contentious repute without prior consultation with the students of the university, who make up the major body of the college community.
The subsequent muteness of the Principal following the devastating assault on the Gaza Strip has been equally obscene. The appalling Israeli actions have killed over 1,300 Palestinians and injured thousands. Tens of thousands of civilians have been left homeless and displaced. Head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza, John Ging, is now joining international calls for an investigation into the war crimes of recent action. Israel stands accused of using banned weapons such as phosphorus bombs, attacking medical facilities, including the killing of 12 ambulance men in marked vehicles, and killing large numbers of policemen who had no military role, amongst numerous other atrocious crimes. Peres has infamously supported this action.
Therefore, we demand the following:
King’s College London should issue a formal statement condemning Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, acknowledging particularly the effect on educational institutions such as the bombing of the Gaza Islamic University and expressing concern about war crimes allegations. King’s College should encourage other universities in the Russell Group to make such a call, as well as informing the national press and the UK and Israeli governments of this call.
Shimon Peres’s honorary doctorate be immediately revoked by King’s College London. As Israeli Head of State, and having issued public support for potential war crimes in the Gaza Strip, we believe that the vast majority of the King’s College community would support this doctorate being immediately revoked as a gesture to show that King’s College is concerned by Israel’s actions in Gaza.
King’s College London should provide five fully-funded scholarships to Palestinian students, giving such students an opportunity to an education which the attack on Gaza and the previous blockade has denied to them.
King’s College London should facilitate a cross-campus fundraising day to raise money for the crisis in Gaza. This should be sent to the charity Medical Aid For Palestinians.
King’s College London should establish links with universities and other educational institutions affected by the crisis in Gaza in solidarity with their plight.
King’s College London should present us with a transparent list of investments in the arms trade, particularly those in GKN. King’s College should divest immediately from the arms trade.
Any old books, computers or other unwanted teaching/administrative resources should as soon as possible or at the end of this term be donated to universities or schools in the Gaza Strip that have been affected by Israel’s attack.
There should be no repercussions for any students involved in this protest. Universities should be a place where freedom of expression is encouraged, and the student movement in the UK and around the world has a proud tradition of organizing protest actions, whether against South African Apartheid or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
King's Administration Denies Students' Right of Expression
King's have decided to restrict access to the occupied lecture theatre, thus denying students fundamental human rights. The Human Rights Act ensures in article 10 the right of freedom of expression, and article 11 the freedom of assembly. Students are slowly filling the hallway outside, eager to gain entry.
King's Administration Attempts to Smear Occupation
The college have attempted to smear the occupation by insisting that we have made it impossible for lectures to take place. This is an absolute falsification. In fact, the first lecture in K2.31 went ahead, and the lecturer commended us on our silence and good behaviour. None of the students complained, and some even joined the occupation. The King's administration then told the students waiting for the next lecture that, because of the occupation, their lecture was cancelled. They did this to divide the student body against us, claiming that we are denying them their education, when it is in fact the underhand tactics of the King's administration that are denying students their education and suppressing the students' right of expression.
Talks in Solidarity with Gaza this afternoon
Professor Jonathan Rosenhead, from LSE and the organising committee of British Committee for Universities for Palestine, will speak at 2pm in K 2.31
Professor Alex Callinicos, director of European Studies at King's, will be speaking in the occupied lecture theatre (K2.31) at 3pm.
Mike Cushman, from Jews for Justice, will be speaking in the occupied space (K2.31) at 5pm.
Professor Alex Callinicos, director of European Studies at King's, will be speaking in the occupied lecture theatre (K2.31) at 3pm.
Mike Cushman, from Jews for Justice, will be speaking in the occupied space (K2.31) at 5pm.
King's Students Occupy Lecture Theatre
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Press Release
KING'S STUDENT OCCUPATION BEGINS TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE REVOCATION OF PERES AWARD
Students from King's College London have begun an occupation in an urgent move to demand action from the institution.
Over 40 student have taken over a lecture theatre at Strand campus this morning (20.1.09), following a wave of protest occupations that have swept across UK universities. The occupation has grown to over 80 students this afternoon, all standing in solidarity with Gaza.
The move comes in light of the King's College Council's decision to award President Shimon Peres with an honorary doctorate, for the apparent recognition of his "peaceful solution to conflicts in the Middle East”, in November 2008. The subsequent muteness of the Principal following the devastating assault on the Gaza Strip has been equally obscene.
The appalling Israeli actions have killed over 1,300 Palestinians and injured thousands. Tens of thousands of civilians have been left homeless and displaced. Head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza, John Ging, is now joining international calls for an investigation into the war crimes of recent action. Israel stands accused of using banned weapons such as phosphorus bombs, attacking medical facilities, including the killing of 12 ambulance men in marked vehicles, and killing large numbers of policemen who had no military role, amongst numerous other atrocious crimes.
A spokesperson has said, "The Principal's initial response did not answer our concerns. Peres’ role in the Qana massacre of April 1996, involving the shelling of a UN refugee camp in Lebanon, was completely ignored. Given the very serious war crimes allegations that Israel is now facing due to its recent actions in the Gaza Strip, we are once again calling on the doctorate to be immediately revoked by King’s College London."
Over 500 students have signed the petition to revoke the award online.
The students are also demanding that King's College issue a formal statement condemning the Israeli action and bombardment of Gaza Islamic University, and provide a transparent list of their arms investments in Israel.
SOAS, LSE and Essex universities began the movement in solidarity with Palestine after the start of the Gaza onslaught, and numerous other universities are expected to follow later this week.
The peaceful occupation continues and promises to welcome high profile speakers during the week.
DEMANDS IN FULL:
King’s College London should issue a formal statement condemning Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, acknowledging particularly the effect on educational institutions, such as the bombing of the Gaza Islamic University, and expressing unwavering condemnation on the war crimes allegations. King’s College should encourage other universities in the Russell Group to make such a call, as well as informing the national press and the UK and Israeli governments of this call.
Shimon Peres’s honorary doctorate be immediately revoked by King’s College London. As Israeli Head of State, having issued public support for potential war crimes in the Gaza Strip, we believe that the vast majority of the King’s College community would support this doctorate being immediately revoked as a gesture to demonstrate that King’s College is deeply concerned by Israel’s actions in Gaza.
King’s College London should provide five fully-funded scholarships to Palestinian students, giving such students an opportunity to an education which the attack on Gaza and the previous blockade has denied to them.
King’s College London should facilitate a cross-campus fundraising day to raise money for the crisis in Gaza. This should be sent to the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
King’s College London should establish links with universities and other educational institutions affected by the crisis in Gaza, in solidarity with their plight.
King’s College London should present us with a transparent list of investments in the arms trade, particularly those in GKN. King’s College should divest immediately from the arms trade.
Any old books, computers or other unwanted teaching/administrative resources should be donated to universities or schools in the Gaza Strip that have been affected by Israel’s attack, as soon as possible and before the end of this term.
There should be no repercussions for any students involved in this protest. Universities should be a place where freedom of expression is encouraged. The student movement in the UK and around the world has a proud tradition of organizing protest actions, whether against South African Apartheid or Zionist terrorism.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1) For more information please contact kcloccupation@gmail.com
2) The group have set up a blog with frequent updates at http://www.kcloccupation.blogspot.com
3) The KCL Peres press release can be found online at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/news_details.php?news_id=947&year=2008
4) The Peres petition can be found online at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/revoke-shimon-peres-honorary-doctorate.html
5) Media outlets should contact kcloccupation@gmail.com before attending the occupation.
Press Release
KING'S STUDENT OCCUPATION BEGINS TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE REVOCATION OF PERES AWARD
Students from King's College London have begun an occupation in an urgent move to demand action from the institution.
Over 40 student have taken over a lecture theatre at Strand campus this morning (20.1.09), following a wave of protest occupations that have swept across UK universities. The occupation has grown to over 80 students this afternoon, all standing in solidarity with Gaza.
The move comes in light of the King's College Council's decision to award President Shimon Peres with an honorary doctorate, for the apparent recognition of his "peaceful solution to conflicts in the Middle East”, in November 2008. The subsequent muteness of the Principal following the devastating assault on the Gaza Strip has been equally obscene.
The appalling Israeli actions have killed over 1,300 Palestinians and injured thousands. Tens of thousands of civilians have been left homeless and displaced. Head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza, John Ging, is now joining international calls for an investigation into the war crimes of recent action. Israel stands accused of using banned weapons such as phosphorus bombs, attacking medical facilities, including the killing of 12 ambulance men in marked vehicles, and killing large numbers of policemen who had no military role, amongst numerous other atrocious crimes.
A spokesperson has said, "The Principal's initial response did not answer our concerns. Peres’ role in the Qana massacre of April 1996, involving the shelling of a UN refugee camp in Lebanon, was completely ignored. Given the very serious war crimes allegations that Israel is now facing due to its recent actions in the Gaza Strip, we are once again calling on the doctorate to be immediately revoked by King’s College London."
Over 500 students have signed the petition to revoke the award online.
The students are also demanding that King's College issue a formal statement condemning the Israeli action and bombardment of Gaza Islamic University, and provide a transparent list of their arms investments in Israel.
SOAS, LSE and Essex universities began the movement in solidarity with Palestine after the start of the Gaza onslaught, and numerous other universities are expected to follow later this week.
The peaceful occupation continues and promises to welcome high profile speakers during the week.
DEMANDS IN FULL:
King’s College London should issue a formal statement condemning Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, acknowledging particularly the effect on educational institutions, such as the bombing of the Gaza Islamic University, and expressing unwavering condemnation on the war crimes allegations. King’s College should encourage other universities in the Russell Group to make such a call, as well as informing the national press and the UK and Israeli governments of this call.
Shimon Peres’s honorary doctorate be immediately revoked by King’s College London. As Israeli Head of State, having issued public support for potential war crimes in the Gaza Strip, we believe that the vast majority of the King’s College community would support this doctorate being immediately revoked as a gesture to demonstrate that King’s College is deeply concerned by Israel’s actions in Gaza.
King’s College London should provide five fully-funded scholarships to Palestinian students, giving such students an opportunity to an education which the attack on Gaza and the previous blockade has denied to them.
King’s College London should facilitate a cross-campus fundraising day to raise money for the crisis in Gaza. This should be sent to the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
King’s College London should establish links with universities and other educational institutions affected by the crisis in Gaza, in solidarity with their plight.
King’s College London should present us with a transparent list of investments in the arms trade, particularly those in GKN. King’s College should divest immediately from the arms trade.
Any old books, computers or other unwanted teaching/administrative resources should be donated to universities or schools in the Gaza Strip that have been affected by Israel’s attack, as soon as possible and before the end of this term.
There should be no repercussions for any students involved in this protest. Universities should be a place where freedom of expression is encouraged. The student movement in the UK and around the world has a proud tradition of organizing protest actions, whether against South African Apartheid or Zionist terrorism.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1) For more information please contact kcloccupation@gmail.com
2) The group have set up a blog with frequent updates at http://www.kcloccupation.blogspot.com
3) The KCL Peres press release can be found online at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/news_details.php?news_id=947&year=2008
4) The Peres petition can be found online at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/revoke-shimon-peres-honorary-doctorate.html
5) Media outlets should contact kcloccupation@gmail.com before attending the occupation.
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