Warwick Stands With Palestine stage sit-in in Science Concourse

Student activists affiliated with protest group Warwick Stands With Palestine (WSWP) have occupied an entrance to the Materials and Analytical Sciences block in a day-long sit-in.

From 8am this morning (Thursday 20 February), demonstrators blocked off the Physics Concourse entrance to the MAS block, hanging up banners reading “Rolls-Royce off campus” and “Warwick Funds Genocide” across both entrances to the reception.

In a statement, the group stated they were “demanding that the University cuts its ties with Rolls-Royce and all weapons companies”, taking aim specifically at the Heterogeneous Systems project (HetSys-CDT).

HetSys-CDT is a Centre for Doctoral Training, one of dozens based at universities across the country funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council. It focuses on training STEM students for a range of roles within the commercial sector.

The University must immediately explain whether or not they have dropped Rolls-Royce from the project

Warwick Stands With Palestine

WSWP highlighted the University’s removal of their ties to Rolls-Royce from the HetSys Partners webpage following Warwick Stands With Palestine’s campaign launch two weeks ago. The project’s partnership with Rolls-Royce is due to expire in September 2027.

The statement continued: “The University must immediately explain whether or not they have dropped Rolls-Royce from the project. If they haven’t, Warwick has acknowledged that unethical research is bad publicity, while continuing their ties to apartheid regardless. If they have, our campaign to drop Rolls-Royce from the HetSys-CDT has been successful.”

Specifically, Warwick Stands With Palestine emphasised Rolls-Royce’s role in the development of components in “F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets” and Merkava tanks; both technologies have been used by Israel in its war in Gaza.

Throughout the sit-in, the group have dedicated each of the hours to a university or school that has been destroyed in Israel’s 15-month war in Gaza, including Al-Aqsa University and the Islamic University of Gaza.

Two days prior, the coalition launched an open letter calling on University administration to “terminate its partnership with Rolls-Royce in the HetSys-CDT” as well as refraining from ties to other companies involved in the “development, testing and manufacturing of weapons”.

Community Safety were present at the demonstration. An older male nearby, a presumed staff member, was overheard asking, “Are they from Hamas?”.

The sit-in follows WSWP’s 13-day occupation of the WMG International Digital Laboratory (IDL) in June 2024, and a two-month encampment outside Senate House last year.

Other routes to the Materials and Analytical Sciences block remained accessible.

In a statement issued to The Boar, a spokesperson for The University of Warwick said, “We continue to manage this demonstration in line with our legal obligations and commitment to freedom of speech. Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our community is our top priority. We continue to offer advice and help to all our students and staff through our support services.”

Rolls-Royce have been approached for comment.