Students have blocked the entrance to the Superior School of Journalism during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Lille on May 2, 2024. Sciences Po Lille and the School of Journalism in Lille have been blocked since the morning of May 2nd, with only a small police cordon separating them. Students from various institutions in Lille, including Sciences Po and the School of Journalism, as well as local universities, gathered in a nearby public garden on May 1st to discuss and organize their support for the people of Gaza.
On Thursday morning, police prevented an initial attempt to block Sciences Po by using tear gas to disperse the protesters. The students then moved to the School of Journalism, where they used barricades and dumpsters to block the entrance. Despite the presence of police, there were no intrusions into either institution. Sciences Po decided not to open its doors for the day and canceled scheduled exams, prompting the protesters to focus their efforts on the School of Journalism, alongside other supporters from local universities and the France Palestine Solidarity Committee.
Throughout the demonstration, the protesters chanted slogans condemning the violence in Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire. They also displayed signs demanding more ethical journalism practices and highlighting the deaths of journalists in Gaza. The students expressed shock at the media’s coverage of the crisis and called for a more balanced and fact-based approach to reporting. Some students criticized the idea that supporting Palestinians automatically equates to anti-Semitism and emphasized the need for open and honest discussions.
Some students called for an end to partnerships between their institution, Sciences Po, and universities in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which include student exchanges starting from the next academic year. They believe that continuing these partnerships sends the wrong message and undermines the principles of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The students expressed concerns about the escalating violence in Gaza and emphasized the need for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In the context of ongoing protests and demonstrations in other parts of France, the students in Lille have joined the movement to show their support for the people of Gaza. They are demanding a more ethical and balanced media coverage of the conflict and calling for an end to violence and a ceasefire. The blockades at Sciences Po and the School of Journalism illustrate the students’ commitment to taking a stand against injustice and advocating for peace in the region. The protesters are united in their belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and must uphold the principles of truth and impartiality in reporting on sensitive issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict.
