2024-05-21
The Victorian Greens have said that students must have their right to peaceful protest protected.
It follows Monash University students being threatened with misconduct, suspension and expulsion for peaceful actions in support of Palestine.
Monash students have been demanding the University divest from its ties to Israel since the start of May. The peaceful Monash Students for Palestine encampment has now been dismantled following reported attacks from far-right thugs.
Victorian Greens member for Richmond, Gabrielle de Vietri, said that instead of trying to crush legitimate, peaceful protests, universities must listen to the divestment demands of the student and staff encampments that are sweeping university campuses across Australia.
She said that she was disturbed by reports that threats of suspension and expulsion were being levelled at students taking action against genocide.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens member for Richmond, Gabrielle de Vietri:
“Everyone should have their right to peaceful protest protected in their university, workplace and the community at large.
“I am disturbed by reports that students have been threatened with suspension and expulsion for peacefully protesting the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
“Scenes of police forcibly dismantling encampments like we have seen in the US must not be repeated here.
“Instead of trying to crush legitimate, peaceful protests, universities must listen to the divestment demands of the student encampments that are sweeping university campuses across Australia.
“The Greens will always back the right to peaceful protest, and we continue to stand with the staff and students calling for a free Palestine.”
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