Students nationally “Stand Against Genocide” at protest for Palestine
After months of raising voices, fists and awareness, Aotearoa students are tired of asking universities and the government to stand with Palestine.
Massey and Victoria students showed a united front. Photo / Jessie Davidson (Massive)
The Wellington protest was held in Victoria University’s Tim Beaglehole Courtyard where an estimated 200 students showed up holding signs saying, “End Zionist Attacks on Gaza” and “Students of Aotearoa Stand Against Genocide”.
Students at the Manawatū campus marched with megaphones, keffiyehs, and many flags chanting “Palestine will never die”.
Manawatū students protested on concourse. Photo / @manawatusjp and @masseymuslimsocietypn
Despite AUT and University of Auckland students protesting, Auckland Massey students did not hold a protest in solidarity.
In a joint media statement, students demanded that universities “Declare and recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state” as well as “Disclose and divest all partnerships with Israel.”
The final demand was for universities to “Denounce anti-semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination.”
Massive asked Massey University if it was willing to meet students' demands.
A spokesperson said, “As is appropriate for a university, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University has not taken a single position on this issue.
“Massey University respects the right of students to peacefully protest. We ask that all students, regardless of their views, respect the opinions and choices of their peers.”
They said they are mindful of ensuring Massey is safe for everyone.
Amongst protests, Massey’s final graduation ceremony took place in Auckland today, with its Instagram story filled with celebratory photos and videos.
University of Canterbury students held a 27-hour campus encampment which started on Tuesday.
Canterbury students packing up tents after an agreement was met. Photo / Charlotte Thornton (Canta)
The protest was a success, with the university committing to scholarship opportunities for Palestinians, agreeing to bring a motion for an academic and cultural boycott of Israel to its academic board, and to investigate revising procurement to exclude Israeli companies, according to Canta.
Te Tira Ahu Pae’s Manawhakahere (Māori president) Cameron Taylor attended the Wellington protest, saying she wants Massey to take a stand against the genocide.
“I want Massey University to stop spray painting over ‘Free Gaza’ tags on campus.”
Taylor was referencing the ‘Honour Te Tiriti’ and ‘Free Gaza’ tags on the Wellington campus that were confirmed to be covered by Massey staff with black paint.
‘Honour Te TiritI’ and ‘Free Gaza’ tags covered in black on the Wellington campus. Photo / Massive staff
The university has since been apologetic for any perceived bias this presented.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was the only MP in attendance at the Wellington protest.
She told Massive, “What we are hoping to do here is continuing to put the pressure on every single decision maker because change doesn't happen with one person in isolation.”
Swarbrick said change occurs when a network of powerful and influential people decide to show up, including universities.
“A lot of us have been at these protests for months now and more than that actually, for years calling for recognition of Palestinian statehood as the Greens have been doing in our Parliament for the last few years.”
The Victoria courtyard full of student protestors. Photo / Jessie Davidson
Student rep Romany Tasker-Poland organised the group Massey students who attended the protest.
She wanted to show solidarity to “the ones who’ve had their schools and lives destroyed with these attacks. I want to make a stand for Gaza and against the genocide”.
Massey student protestor El Zhao said, “I think it’s dumb when people stop boycotting because it’s a trend.”
“Putting more attention on Gaza as a whole is important, because they (Palestinians) don’t have anywhere to go anymore.”