Pro-Palestine protest posters rejected by hall management

A ‘March for the children of Gaza’ poster was rejected for display by management at the Wellington Whanake Hall for being political, earlier this month.

However, residential assistants (RA) argued the hall’s collaboration in May with Nestle, a brand which has manufacturers in Palestine land occupied by Israel, was hypocritical.  

In a groupchat leaked to Massive, the posters were first declined by a manager, “Sorry team. That won’t be approved.”  

An RA responded saying “Thats not very Te Tiriti led of us.”  

The next message from the RA continued, “It's just a peaceful protest against a genocide. I think its definitely worth considering since it's important that we’re not complicit on matters like these.”  

Another RA noted, “I just don’t understand how we are supporting residents and their beliefs by silencing them and a peaceful protest.”  

Management came back saying the institution cannot make a stance and only individuals can – a reasoning consistently seen from the university.   

Management said, “Working with Nestle was a business exchange and doesn’t mean we were taking a stance on a ‘political issue’.” 

Romany Tasker-Poland, a Wellington student rep felt management did not have the right to reject the posters.  

“There's nothing inherently inappropriate or threatening about a protest poster.”    

Tasker-Poland agreed with the RA’s message that this incident was silencing students' right to peacefully protest.  

She felt it was “hypocritical” and “not neutral” for the university to have a business exchange with Nestle.  

She felt the same way about the Massey University Foundation’s $7,105 investment Israeli Government Bonds, which Massive revealed in June.  

The rep felt a blanket ban on political content in halls was the opposite of the university being neutral and encouraging free speech. 

“Students are allowed to put up posters, and people recognise that doesn’t mean that that's the university’s stance, that’s just students being allowed to express their views.”  

She referenced the protest chalking at the recent Manawatū Open Day, which was left by Massey Staff to honour freedom of speech.  

However, the university’s actions have varied as protest art was swiftly painted over in the Wellington Fine Arts building in June leading to student outrage. 

The event was endorsed and partly organised by the student association, “it feels quite dodgy for the university to not be allowing students to put up student association material.” 

Tasker-Poland understood having poster guidelines in case something really inappropriate is displayed in halls, however, felt this clearly wasn’t the case here. 

Amy Heise, executive director student experience said, “Student accommodation is home to a diverse range of students, therefore we do not approve posters of a political or partisan nature.”  

Heise said the university was mindful of ensuring that a place of learning and research is safe for everyone. 

Students can apply to put posters up on approved poster boards around campus, but not Massey Halls, Heise explained.  

She encouraged students to notify security if they spot any concerning posters around Massey campuses.