“Massey University has betrayed its students”: Pro-Palestine protest signs on display

Activists display protest signs for all to see on the Wellington campus. They tell Massive in a statement, “Massey University has betrayed its students by investing $7,105 in Israeli government bonds while claiming a ‘right to remain silent’.”  

Last Monday, the protest signs were found displayed in the Fine Arts glass box, previously being used at the All Out For Gaza national rally in June and again on July 19th when students marched through campus.  

In a collective statement from Massey SJP (Student for Justice in Palestine) they said the display is in response to the “university’s complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.” 

The university previously painted over protest art in the Fine Arts stairwell in June, which led to much outrage. However, the protest signs display has been going strong for a week. 

On June 20th, Massey provost Giselle Byrnes released an article titled, Opinion: ‘A right to remain silent?’.  

The opinion piece said it’s not a university’s role to take stances, but to create a safe space for students and staff to do so.  

Byrnes said, “Individuals may have views, but the institution itself does not have the right to state views; it is the role of the university to create the conditions where staff and students may exercise these rights.”  

Students were frustrated that Byrnes repeatedly called the issue the “war” in Gaza rather than a genocide.  

Massey SJP called their display, A Right to Remain Silent?, in reference to Byrnes article.  

The students said, “Active investment in genocide is not silence.” 

“The university is complicit in the incessant bombing and violence which has stolen the lives of more than 186,000 Palestinians.”  

A Massey University spokesperson said, “The role of a university is to facilitate a safe environment for staff and students to express their academic freedom; it is not for the institution to make a specific statement or adopt a singular position on any particular issue.”  

Massive asked the questions, does Massey University condemn Israel's genocidal war on Palestine. A spokesperson answered: “Massey University condemns violence of any nature. Genocide is a heinous crime that violates the fundamental principles of humanity and justice.”  

Massey SJP invites readers to sign its open letter demanding Massey University “put their money where their mouth is”.