Students have been camping at REC for over a week now. What next?
Occupiers of the field on REC continue to demonstrate even as talks with the Executive Board have failed. The protesters, who have been camping in tents since last Monday, are receiving help. For instance, there is an emergency button, security guards patrol around the camp and security guards even clean the toilets placed by the UvA.
“The UvA is holding an untenable position,” says Amsterdam Encampment spokesperson and graduate Jay Roles. The protesters will continue to occupy the campus despite the breakdown of negotiations with the Executive Board (CvB). According to Roles, the UvA cannot speak of genocide and at the same time refuse to sever ties with Israeli institutions. “That is not tenable, and that is why we will continue to exert pressure.” The spokesman was referring to last week, when a UvA spokesperson called the situation in Gaza a genocide. Peter-Paul Verbeek was less happy with this definition and stuck to the term “genocidal violence”.
Since last Monday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been occupying the field on the Roeterseiland campus with tents. The students stayed there overnight during the long Pentecost weekend when the UvA was closed and despite the rain.
How will the occupation continue now that the negotiations have broken down? Several occupiers repeat that they will continue to put pressure on the UvA. “The UvA should have broken off ties last week, but they didn’t, so I’m staying here as long as necessary,” says one of the protesters. “My wet shoes from the rain are nothing compared to the bombings in Gaza, so we’re sticking it out,” says another occupier.
Help from security
The protesters are receiving help from UvA security. Two security guards confirm to the protesters that toilets have been cleaned by security personnel at the tent camp. The security guards also inform the protesters that they can press the red alarm button on the field at any time if they need security assistance. “We will also continue to patrol the area to keep an eye on things, also for the safety of the protesters,” says the security guard.
However, security has also asked the protesters to keep noise levels down in the buildings, as they have heard from students that the noise is disturbing them while they study. Despite this, a “noise demo” is planned for this afternoon at the Executive Board’s office.
