On March 11th, organisers of the Students for Palestine collective campaigned with the purpose of denouncing anti-protest laws, demanding cuts to university ties to weapons manufacturers, and condemning the active genocide in Gaza. This strike consisted of student contingents from UTS, Macquarie Uni, USyd and UNSW, as well as a number of high school students.
During the two week notice period for this strike, U.S. and Israeli military forces attacked Iran, resulting in an unprovoked massacre of over 1,300 people (mostly civilians) in only twelve days. Additionally, Lebanon has seen a minimum of 394 deaths from Israeli strikes since the declaration of war in the Middle East. Facing these events, the demands of the protest extended to call for “No US & Israel war on the Middle East”. As the city observed, Students for Palestine ditched their classrooms in favour of a roaring political demonstration.
At 1:15pm, UTS students gathered outside the UTS Tower (Building 1), and began chanting, led by Yasmine Johnson, the NUS (National Union of Students) Education Officer. Vertigo members in attendance noticed an increased security presence at the UTS Tower entrance. We also witnessed police officers intervening when a man stood in front of Building 1 holding the Israeli on display. The man left shortly after being spoken to. A crowd of demonstrators from the University of Sydney had travelled eastbound through Broadway to meet UTS students on their way to Town Hall. Signs which read “Israel is a terrorist state” and “End the Starvation, Students for Palestine” were a couple of the most notable amongst an assemblage of Palestinian flags.
Protestors eventually congregated at Town Hall where Jasmine Al-Rawi, the USYD Students for Palestine convener, led the speeches at the protest.
Macquarie University student activist Anna Batshon was one of the first speakers of the day and spoke about the personal impacts of solidarity: “I used to be afraid of saying I was Palestinian, afraid that someone would tell me it doesn’t exist. But now I’m proud to say I’m Palestinian…to wear a keffiyeh and proud to be here amongst all students.”
Next, high school students Izzy Burgess and Rohan Sargent shared their thoughts on the backlash they receive for speaking out against the genocide in Gaza at school: “Since when has opposing genocide been controversial or distressing?” Rowan demanded.
Jenny Leong, Greens MP and member for Newtown, was also present and gave insight into the importance of student led protests, stating that “it reminds the leaders of today that when you have a care for the world, when you have a commitment to peace… you have not been corrupted by the powerful influences that feed your own desire for political positions.”
Leong also noted the Australian government’s complicity in these international conflicts, claiming: “The moment you start sending troops in, even if there are no moves on the ground, you are participating in that armed conflict.”
Furthermore, Leong elaborated on the Iranian women’s football team, who were recently granted asylum amidst the backdrop of the developing war in the Middle East, and the hypocrisy of the Federal parliament: “But while they took the photo ops with those elite sports people… they are in there passing further inhumane refugee and asylum seeker laws to stop non elite sports people… from being able to call Australia home.”
After the speeches, students marched to NSW Parliament House, passing through the CBD whilst the city observed. With the police walking along the sides of the crowd, students continued their chants, including “From the River to the Sea”, a phrase recently banned in Queensland. Notably, the Brisbane student strikes saw two arrests for displaying and verbalising the chant. Offenders face up to two years imprisonment for saying the phrase. Yet, the woman who was arrested in Brisbane for displaying the slogan on her shirt has been given an adult caution, with no further action being taken by police.
Johnson was one of the last speakers of the protest, making connections to the Vietnam War and capitalism to condemn current world events. She asked, “What kind of world is it that allows the slaughter in Gaza to continue, that allows new wars in Lebanon and Iran against all sense of justice or morality?”. Johnson inspired those in attendance by stating, “That is a system that has to be torn down, and if anyone’s gonna do it, we are the ones who will do it.”
When the strike ended, students grouped into their respective universities to take photos before dispersing from Parliament House and into the CBD.
Continuing tensions between the public and political representatives have led to the organisation of upcoming rallies, which includes the protest against Chris Minns’ ban on slogans and symbols being held at NSW Parliament on Tuesday March 17th at 6pm.
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