Palestine protestors blockade University Careers Fair

Pro-Palestine demonstrators have attempted to block access to the Rootes building today in response to the presence of BAE Systems at a careers fair.

At 10:45am, seven protestors stood in front of two entrances to the Rootes building on campus to prevent students from accessing the STEM Careers fair.  

Up to 20 protestors joined them outside chanting on a loudspeaker calling out the University and stating that they had “blood on their hands” for collaborating with BAE Systems. 

BAE Systems is the sixth-largest arms manufacturer in the world by revenue and the largest in the UK. The company manufactures munitions and arms used by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). BAE also contribute to the manufacture of fighter jets, such as the F-35, which are used by the IDF. 

Protestors were met by members of the Warwick Community Safety (WCS) team and SNSG private security firm. They blocked the protestors from going further into the building by barricading the doors.  

One student attempted to force his way past the protestors blocking the door but was unsuccessful and was pointed away by WCS.  

A Careers Fair attendee jostles with demonstrators. Image: Martin Day / The Boar

The demonstrators were unsuccessful in completely blocking access to the building, as students could walk around the back of the building and enter through a fire escape guarded by University Security. Students were asked to produce their Warwick student ID and then were allowed access to the building.  

Some students disagreed with the protest, with one STEM student saying: “It’s ok when they do it outside of the FAB, but not for a STEM event.” 

Another student who worked in the building said that she was “all for the protest”, but that it crossed a line by not letting people enter a university space. 

However, many others agreed with the protest. A group of four students who were denied entry to the fair all agreed with the motives and methods of the protestors.  

The Warwick Action for Palestine WhatsApp group chat released a statement stating: “We are currently shutting down the University STEM careers fair due to the disgusting decision by the University to invite BAE systems” 

The group also said: “Despite Warwick Stands with Palestine representatives being extremely clear in meetings with the University executive board about the issues we had with Warwick’s ties to BAE Systems, they chose to ignore us and instead platform BAE Systems on our campus.” 

“As such, our only option is to disrupt and shut down the fair ourselves.” 

A University spokesperson noted to The Boar: “A student demonstration was held today on campus. Our students were able to voice their opinions.

“Whilst we recognise that freedom of speech is a vital component of University life,  we will continue to urge our students to respect the views of others even when they are different to their own.  Respect, kindness and empathy to each other cannot be undervalued.”

Warwick Stands with Palestine were contacted for comment.