A demonstration by pro-Palestinian activists ended in a large-scale police intervention this afternoon. Two people have been arrested.

The demonstration was organised in response to Israel’s new acts of violence in Gaza. Around 3.30 p.m., a group of about 50 protesters gathered in the field between the Maria Montessori building and the Lecture Hall complex, and walked from there to the Berchmanianum, where the university administration offices are located.

Ten minutes to leave

At the administration building, activists chanted slogans such as ‘bombing children is a crime’ and ‘Radboud stop supporting genocide’, and filled the walls of the former monastery with chalked texts. A university spokesperson briefly spoke with the protesters. He reminded them of the recent announcement that the University is expecting a preliminary recommendation from the Partnerships Advisory Committee on 1 April and wishes to wait for that.

As the crowd moved to the right wing of the building and repeatedly knocked on the windows of the administration offices, several police cars arrived.

According to the protesters, the police gave them 10 minutes to leave. The group appeared to comply with the orders and walked back towards the Montessori building, followed by a group of police and security guards.

Blows with truncheon

For unknown reasons, at that moment, protester was grabbed and taken away by police. That was when the atmosphere changed. Other protesters tried to prevent the arrest and then stop the car with the arrestee from driving away. Using truncheons and a police dog, police officers forced the group backwards. Several activists received blows.

After the car with the arrestee had driven away, most of the protesters left the area, announcing that they would hold a noise demonstration at the police station at 6 p.m.

After the protest ended, another activist was detained at the bus stop in front of the Huygens building. The police confirmed to De Gelderlander that two people have been arrested: the person at the administration building for acts of vandalism, the other person for disrespect.