University of Sydney Implements Stricter Protest Regulations Following Pro-Palestinian Encampment

The University of Sydney has implemented stricter rules regarding campus protests following a contentious pro-Palestinian protest encampment.

Despite protesters claiming that the new regulations would impede political freedom, the university’s president argued that they are intended to create a safe and inclusive environment for all community members while still upholding the right to free speech.

According to the new Campus Access Policy 2024, certain protest activities require approval at least 72 hours prior to commencement. This includes activities involving megaphones or amplifiers, temporary structures, and projecting words or images onto buildings or structures.

Activities like using cooking equipment or heaters not provided by the university, attaching materials, banners, or structures to university buildings or fixtures will also require advance approval.

Additionally, the university has prohibited students from engaging in demonstrations without notice, camping, lighting open fires, proceeding with unapproved activities, or possessing any weapons or explosives.

Actions such as displaying intimidating behavior or harassing others, dumping garbage or materials, storing personal belongings on university property without permission, and engaging in activities that pose health or safety risks are deemed unacceptable.

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Protests must take place in open spaces and are not allowed inside any buildings.

This recent action was prompted by the ongoing conflict at the esteemed institution since April 23 between university management and pro-Palestinian encampment protesters.

In an email sent to staff and students on July 4, as seen by The Epoch Times, the university’s Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott stated that the new policy aims to “ensuring our campus remains a safe and welcoming place for all members of our community.”

Scott also mentioned that amidst challenging times and in a polarized society, it is crucial to establish the right settings to promote healthy debate, freedom of expression, and ensure a safe, welcoming, and lively campus.

‘Full-scale Offensive’: Protesters

The pro-Palestinian protesters expressed discontent with the new policy.

Dave Brophy from the National Tertiary Education Union criticized the measures as an “attack on political freedom,” alleging that they were implemented without prior notice or consultation.

Meanwhile, University of Sydney Students’ Representative Council President Harrison Brennan condemned the policy as a “repulsive, full-scale offensive on the right to protest” at the university.

He asserted that the policy would suppress dissenting voices of students, staff, and the broader community, impacting not only student activists focused on Palestine but also other campaigns. Brennan emphasized that students should not require permission to protest on their own campus.

Condemnation On Vandalism Of War Memorial

At the state level, Queensland Liberal-National Party (LNP) MP Phillip Thompson recently introduced a motion to denounce the defacing of Australia’s war memorials by pro-Palestinian protesters.

On June 29, the Australian National Korean War Memorial, Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial, and the Australian Army National Memorial were vandalized with pro-Palestine messages such as “blood on your hands.”

Thompson condemned the acts as deeply insulting to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, their families, and undermining the significance of these memorials as symbols of national pride and remembrance.

He characterized the attacks on June 29 as criminal behavior, not an exercise of free speech, and spoke against the phrase commonly used by protesters—”From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

“The Prime Minister coming here and saying, ‘It is okay because Jewish people as well as people from Palestine both say “from the river to the sea,”’ that is not what the Jewish community has been telling me, and they are justly angry,” Thompson stated.