Like so many other graduates of the University of Melbourne, the Arts West building is a particularly special place for me. It’s where I had my very first tutorial. It’s where – when I was a post-graduate student – I taught tutorials myself. For the many long years of my doctoral studies, I was stationed in Arts West.
I learnt so much there, and hopefully passed on some knowledge, too.
Students rally at the Pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Melbourne on Friday.Credit: AAP
But today it’s not a place of learning: classes have been cancelled, as pro-Palestinian protesters have occupied the building. This is no longer legitimate protest or the exercise of free speech.
Instead, what’s now occurring has crossed a line. It’s endangering the safety of students and staff and is negatively impacting the education of many other students. In doing so, an environment that legitimises and encourages antisemitism has been fostered.
On Monday, the University of Melbourne issued a formal warning to protesters saying emergency exits, fire panels and firefighting equipment in the Arts West building had been obstructed or damaged.
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The university warned that those in the building must leave the site or face consequences including being reported to Victoria Police, having their ability to attend classes restricted, exclusion from enrolment or re-enrolment, or restriction on access to university properties. University staff refusing to leave may have their behaviour as employees deemed “serious misconduct”.
In my view, if the students refuse to follow these directives, universities should expel them, then send in the police.
We often see people from the political right bemoan young people’s apparent apathy and condemn them for being glued to devices (even though many older people are just as bad). It’s hard, then, to also condemn them for caring so much about an issue that they engage in sustained protest.The desire of so many young people to protest what they see unfolding in Gaza is overwhelmingly a good thing. We have a right to protest and a right to freedom of speech. The exercise of these rights is a sign of a healthy democracy and this must be your position if you value free speech.