Pro-Palestine Protests at Melbourne University Lead to Unprecedented Punishments

In a development that could set a new precedent for student activism in Australia, the University of Melbourne has recommended the expulsion of two students and the suspension of two others for their participation in a pro-Palestine demonstration. This action, stemming from an office occupation last October, could mark the first time such severe penalties have been enforced against pro-Palestine student activists in the country since the widespread protests against actions in Gaza began in 2023. The students involved are preparing to appeal, with one claiming a lack of fairness in the university’s process.
The protest in question involved a group of around 20 individuals who occupied an academic’s office for approximately 90 minutes. Their objective was to pressure the university to end its ties with Israeli academic institutions, aligning with the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement. Social media footage from the time showed protesters entering the office with their faces covered.
The university has alleged that the students harassed and intimidated staff, and caused property damage by placing signs and stickers on university items and writing on personal belongings. The students, however, assert that their demonstration was peaceful and political, and that they had informed those in the office and nearby about their protest, even offering to minimize disruption.
One student facing expulsion, despite being present for only a short period and not directly engaging in specific acts of alleged misconduct, was found to have violated university rules through her mere presence. This aligns with the university’s recently implemented anti-protest rules, which have been widely criticized as “authoritarian.” The university maintains its commitment to its disciplinary processes and the students’ right to appeal, while declining to comment on specific cases.