Police intervention occurred on Thursday, May 9 to end the occupation, which began on Tuesday evening, of a building at the University of Lille campus in support of the Palestinian people, according to the prefecture and students. A few dozen students had been occupying the hall of a building on the Pont de Bois campus in Villeneuve-d’Ascq (Nord) from Tuesday night to Wednesday. The police intervention, carried out at the request of the University of Lille-III, was described by the prefecture of Nord as calm, resulting in the end of the blockade of the campus entrance hall.
During the police intervention, there were around twenty occupants and four times as many officers trying to remove them. A spokesperson for the group of students expressed disappointment at the police presence and also denounced the use of misogynistic, racist, and transphobic remarks, as well as infantilizing attitudes towards the activists. In a statement released on Instagram on Wednesday, the collective that initiated the occupation expressed their indignation at the genocide supported by big corporations, governments, and institutions. They also called for an end to partnerships with Tel Aviv University and all Israeli universities, as well as an end to the massacres and genocide, and the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese man sentenced to life in 1987 for complicity in the assassination of American and Israeli diplomats.
The student mobilization in support of Palestine has been ongoing, with actions taking place at various universities. The University of Lille occupation is just one example of the growing solidarity with the Palestinian cause among students. The demands made by the collective reflect a desire for concrete action to stop the violence and oppression faced by the Palestinian people. This includes calling for an end to partnerships with institutions in Israel, as well as support for the release of individuals like Georges Ibrahim Abdallah.
The occupation of the University of Lille campus highlights the continuing activism and resistance in support of the Palestinian people. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the presence of a large number of police officers indicates the authorities’ response to such actions. The use of force to remove the students from the campus raises questions about the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. The students involved in the occupation have faced challenges and opposition, but their determination to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people remains strong.
Overall, the occupation at the University of Lille is part of a larger movement of student activism in support of Palestine. The demands made by the students reflect a desire for justice and solidarity with those facing oppression. As the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate, it is important to recognize the role of young people in advocating for change and raising awareness about the realities of the conflict. The actions taken by the students at the University of Lille demonstrate a commitment to standing up for human rights and challenging systems of oppression.
