A group of pro-Palestinian students occupied one of the buildings of the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto (FCUP) this evening. A protest is underway in the corresponding computer science department building Campus University.
The event gathers “dozens of students” at the University of Porto, according to the note, organized by the “Students for Palestine UP” group, as well as activists from other pro-Palestinian movements.
“Given the genocide Israel is perpetrating against the Palestinian people, the students demand that UP immediately sever all ties with Israeli institutions and companies, officially condemn the ongoing genocide in Palestine, and defend the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and their right of return.” have requested.
University of Porto joins pro-Palestinian protests at Porto’s Faculty of Science pic.twitter.com/xl4lPDZARf
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They also want “the University of Porto to use its influence with the Porto City Council and the Portuguese government to condemn the atrocities of the colonial state of Israel and sever diplomatic relations with it.”
The Computer Science Building at Porto is usually open until midnight (and, during exam times, beyond) to allow students to do computer work at the College. As the protest went on peacefully, the students entered the building.
According to the press release, the protest follows an open letter sent by pro-Palestinian students to the institution’s rector and a sit-in in front of the university building on May 8. “Actions will continue until the demands of the students are met”, assured the students.
““Students, youth and people united in the Palestinian liberation struggle refuse to passively watch the most violent manifestation of this century based on imperialist policies that profit from the distribution of death, oppression and poverty,” they say.
According to PĂBLICO, there are more protest actions in preparation, following other actions taking place in other Portuguese university institutions, namely in Lisbon.
Thursday’s strike comes against the backdrop of international demonstrations by young people in defense of the Palestinian cause. There are records of protests in America. For example, France, Germany and the Netherlands.