PARIS April 28. 2024 (Saba) -A group of students blocked the entrances to the prestigious Sciences Po University in the French capital Paris to protest the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
The students demanded the university to condemn the Zionist aggression in a move similar to demonstrations witnessed at American universities.
Media reports reported that the students chanted slogans in support of the Palestinians, raised Palestinian flags on the windows and above the entrance to the building, and a number of them placed the black and white keffiyeh, which has become a symbol of solidarity with Gaza.
On Friday evening, the institution’s administration announced an agreement with the pro-Palestinian students in which it pledged to hold an internal discussion by next Thursday during which “all questions can be asked” and to suspend disciplinary measures against the demonstrators.
The Sciences Po administration decided to close several buildings on its campus in Paris, and "strongly condemned these student movements."
“In view of these decisions, students pledged not to disrupt classes, exams and all activities of the institution,” interim college administrator Jan Basir wrote in a letter he sent to students and professors at the end of a day of tensions in front of the institution.
Agence France-Presse said it noted that this message was met with relief by dozens of demonstrators who were still gathered at 9:30 pm in front of the college.
The administration organized a meeting with student representatives on Friday morning, and is being criticized by a section of the educational body for allowing the police to interfere on campus.
Commenting on the student movement, French Minister of Higher Education Sylvie Rotayo said: “Yes to discussion, no to obstruction.”
The League's Palestine Committee calls for "a clear condemnation by Sciences Po of Israel's practices and an end to cooperation" with all "institutions or entities" that are considered involved "in the systemic oppression of the Palestinian people."
Yesterday, Friday, the students received support from several figures on the French left (the Proud France Party), including the French-Palestinian activist Rima Hassan, a candidate for the European elections.
Clashes continued between the police and students opposing the Zionist war on the Gaza Strip at American universities, raising questions about the violent methods used to suppress the protests that have increased since mass arrests at Columbia University last week.
H.H
resource : Saba
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