Published 5 August 202412 August 2024 · open letter / Solidarity We stand against discipline of Deakin encampment Deakin Palestine Solidarity Group Open letter: Deakin staff and students oppose disciplinary action over Deakin Gaza Solidarity Encampment. We, the undersigned Deakin University staff and students, oppose Deakin’s disciplinary measures against students for participation in the Deakin Gaza Solidarity Encampment. We affirm our support for freedom of speech and the right to protest on campus. We call for the immediate revocation of all formal warnings, suspensions and other disciplinary measures resulting from the encampment. We call on the university to drop any pending disciplinary charges, and we oppose any future attempts by university management to punish staff or students for Palestine activism. We reject the narrative being pushed by management that the encampment was unsafe for staff or students. Deakin University is attempting to discipline two students over their involvement in the Deakin Gaza Solidarity Encampment. One, Renee Nayef, has already been suspended for a trimester and banned from setting foot on university premises. Another, Jasmine Duff, is likely to be suspended or expelled. Many other students have been issued with formal warnings, which were sent to all students who the university identified as having slept at the encampment. Deakin University is the only university in Victoria to have suspended or seriously disciplined students over the solidarity encampments which swept Australia and the world. The encampments were vibrant, peaceful and moving sites of protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Deakin students camped on the main campus walkway for seventeen winter nights, creating a space for political discussion and protest. Banners and signs calling Palestinian liberation, Indigenous justice and women’s rights lined the pathway, leading up to a kitchen where students and staff visited the encampment. The campus stage, decked out in Palestinian and Aboriginal flags, was a site of daily teach-ins by community members including Indigenous, Palestinian, Jewish and Israeli staff and activists. Some of the teach-ins dealt with the Israel-Palestine conflict itself, discussing the history of the Nakba, Israel’s apartheid system, and the current war. Others dealt with previous struggles, like the 1946-49 Pilbara Strike by Aboriginal workers and the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement. Students and staff held three large marches to support and defend the encampment. The university claims the encampment created an “environment of hostility, intimidation and fear” on campus. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The encampment was peaceful, welcoming, and created a new space for political engagement. University management instructed security guards to block off the whole walkway, all one hundred metres of it, with tape barriers. On their way to classes, students were made to show identification and explain where they were going. But this exhibit of Orwellianism in the centre of our campus didn’t dissuade students from ducking under the tape to visit the encampment or prevent staff from bringing their whole classes to hold lessons among the banners. Over 39,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza, including over 15,000 children. Universities across Gaza have been razed to the ground. Throughout all of this, Deakin has maintained its funding for research partnerships with multiple weapons companies. This includes a partnership with the Guided Weapons, Explosives and Ordinance Enterprise of BAE Systems, which provides Israel with weapons and which saw a surge in profits to £2.7bn as a result of Israel’s onslaught on Gaza and Russia’s war in Ukraine. If Deakin management truly cared about safety, it would immediately end its research partnerships with weapons manufacturers. Moments like this one contribute to defining our historical period. All of us have a choice. Are we willing to accept living in a society which is silent in the face of genocide, or do we add our voices to create a chorus of opposition to human suffering? In his 2005 poem, Think Of Others, Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish advised us: As you think of others far away, think of yourself (say: “If only I were a candle in the dark”). We, the undersigned, choose to be candles. We stand with the student protesters. If you wish to sign the letter, click here. Shiri Krebs, Professor, Deakin University Dr Michael Lazarus, Deakin academic staff member Andrew Stapleton, Librarian / NTEU Delegate and Branch Committee Member Christopher Mayes, Deakin University, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy Dr Peter Ferguson, Politics and International Relations Discipline Convenor, Deakin University Chris Pollard, Sessional Academic in Sociology and Philosophy Dylan Holdsworth, Sessional Academic Anna Kent, Sessional Academic Bachlan, Senior Student Adviser Marcus Banks, Senior Research Fellow, University of Tasmania Eve Mayes, Senior research fellow Tatjana Seizova-Cajic, Senior lecturer, University of Sydney David Brophy, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney David Giles, Senior Lecturer, Deakin University Jacqui Adcock, Senior Lecturer, Deakin University Dr Maria Rae, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Policy Dr Catherine Legg, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Deakin University Sean Bowden, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy (Deakin) David Coady, Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania Tamara K. Browne, Senior Lecturer at Deakin University Daniel McAvoy, Senior Lecturer Dr David Giles, Senior Lecturer Samantha Balaton-chrimes, Senior Lecturer Vicki Ware, Senior Lecturer Dave Skvarc, Senior Lecturer Martin Potter, Senior Lecturer Amie O’Shea, Senior Lecturer Shaun Rawolle, Senior Lecturer Therese Grimes, Prospective student officer Prof Anthony LaMontagne, Professor, Deakin University Paula Muraca, Associate Research Fellow, ADI Deakin Lorenzo Galletta, Associate Research Fellow Amy Nethery, Associate Professor, Politics and Policy Joanna Cruickshank, Associate Professor, Deakin University Danielle Chubb, Associate Professor, Deakin A/Prof Victoria Stead, Associate Professor, Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Education Susanna Venn, Associate Professor of Plant Ecology David Hundt, Associate Professor of International Relations, Deakin University Anthony Ware , Associate Professor of International and Community Development Timothy Neale, Associate Professor Amanda Keddie, Professor of Education Benjamin Isakhan, Professor Jasmin Chen, Professional Staff Member Nazryn Azhar, Professional staff Kathryn Tafra, professional staff Kristy Welch, Senior International Student Support Officer Lew Zipin, Retired scholar-activist in education for social justice Amanda Lourie, Researcher Trevor McCandless, Research Fellow Helen Ngo, Research Fellow Charishma Ratnam, Research Fellow Georgia Craigie, Research fellow Trevor McCandless, Research Fellow Kathie, Research assistant Bryan Fricker, Staff Maree Pardy, Staff Katrina MacDonald, Staff Fethi Mansouri, staff Kathie Kenyon, Research assistant NTEU for Palestine Victoria, Rank and file group of NTEU members Thomas Hill, PSA Jessica Marian, Postdoctoral Research Fellow (UniMelb) Sara Ryding, Post doc Scott Denis McCarthy, PhD student Olis Kinnear, PhD Student Emilie Owens, PhD Candidate, Deakin University, School of Education Aiden, NTEU, USyd Natalie Osborne, NTEU member Ben Nunquam, NTEU Branch Secretary and National Councillor, Federation University Dr Michael Callaghan, NTEU Branch Committee Member and National Councillor Jack Kirne , NTEU Sarah McNabb, NA Akane Kanai, Monash University Tony Williams, Monash staff Samantha Ratnam, Member for Northern Metropolitan, Parliament of Victoria Kamilia Al-ERIANI , Melbourne University Miriam Neufeld, Medical student Sarah, McDonald Jennifer Keene-McCann, Marking tutor Daniel Tritt, Marketing division Vittoria Grossi, Manager, Academic and Peer Services Loud Jew Collective, Loud Jew Collective Petra Brown, Lecturer, SHSS Pat McConville, Lecturer, School of Medicine, Deakin University Dr. Aleryk Fricker, Lecturer, NIKERI Institute Aleryk Fricker, Lecturer, NIKERI Institute Piper Rodd, Lecturer, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin Francesca Bussey, Lecturer Rebekah Omond, Lecturer Mitchell Kerley, Learning Designer Costas, Laoutides César Gustavo Latorre, General Delegate of Italian Hospital in BS. AS. Jane Kenway, Former Deakin Academic Staff member Kyle Kohinga, Doctoral Candidate Virginie Rey, DECRA Fellow, Deakin University Tash Atkins, Deakin University, Professional Staff Keira Ting-Shelley, Deakin University undergraduate Lilliana Woods Shirzadeh, deakin university student Rachel, Deakin University student Chloe Martin, Deakin University Student Matthew Narracott, Deakin University Student Piper Bushby, Deakin University student Lisa Gray, deakin university student Piper Bushby, Deakin University student Rachel, Deakin University student Matthew Narracott, Deakin University Student Lisa Gray, deakin university student Chloe Martin, Deakin University Student Piper Bushby, Deakin University student Rachel, Deakin University student Matthew Narracott, Deakin University Student Lisa Gray, deakin university student Chloe Martin, Deakin University Student Elizabeth Williams, Deakin university staff Elizabeth Williams, Deakin university staff Louise Willis, Deakin University staff Dr Christopher O’Neill, Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellow Sophie Adams, Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellow Melinda Cameron, Deakin University Masters student Tara Gilbee, Deakin University Lecturer Philippa McLean, Deakin University Alumni Lisa Livingston, Deakin University Alumni Jonah Pratt, Deakin University – Professional Staff Drew Roberts , Deakin University Kiera Hoy, Deakin University Mohammed Aldhulaee, Deakin University Catherine Holder, Deakin University Alec Ferguson, Deakin University Fizza, Deakin University Kat Hamilton, Deakin University Maria , Deakin university Jeevika, Deakin University Matiu Bush , Deakin University Catherine Holder, Deakin University Alec Ferguson, Deakin University Kiera Hoy, Deakin University Fizza, Deakin University Kat Hamilton, Deakin University Drew Roberts , Deakin University Maria , Deakin university Jeevika, Deakin University Matiu Bush , Deakin University Mohammed Aldhulaee, Deakin University Catherine Holder, Deakin University Alec Ferguson, Deakin University Kiera Hoy, Deakin University Fizza, Deakin University Kat Hamilton, Deakin University Drew Roberts , Deakin University Maria , Deakin university Jeevika, Deakin University Matiu Bush , Deakin University Mohammed Aldhulaee, Deakin University Megan Dennis, Deakin University Jasmine McCulloch, Deakin University Armita Abdollahyan, Deakin University Bree Allingham-MacLaren, Deakin University Beth Jackson, Deakin University Kayla Bond, Deakin University Sonali Gupta, Deakin University Lorika Kadriu, Deakin University Tareq Elzabri, Deakin University Ajaa Thuc, Deakin University Bronte Montgomery-Farrer, Deakin University Jeremy, Deakin University Temam, Deakin University Rose Lewis, Deakin University Aayesha Fahim Mohamed, Deakin University Sarah claydon, Deakin University Matt Lazaridis, Deakin University Sian White, Deakin University Ameena Payne, Deakin University Jessica Whyte, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales Jasmine, Deakin University Bianca Whiteside, Deakin University Anna Nguyen, Deakin University livroop gill, deakin university Yzabela Casiguran, Deakin University Rickie Morey, Deakin University Jill Blackmore, Deakin UNiversity Sarah claydon, Deakin University Matt Lazaridis, Deakin University Beth Jackson, Deakin University Sonali Gupta, Deakin University Ajaa Thuc, Deakin University Sian White, Deakin University Ameena Payne, Deakin University Tareq Elzabri, Deakin University Bree Allingham-MacLaren, Deakin University Jasmine McCulloch, Deakin University Lorika Kadriu, Deakin University Jasmine, Deakin University Armita Abdollahyan, Deakin University Megan Dennis, Deakin University Temam, Deakin University Bianca Whiteside, Deakin University Anna Nguyen, Deakin University Aayesha Fahim Mohamed, Deakin University livroop gill, deakin university Kayla Bond, Deakin University Rose Lewis, Deakin University Jeremy, Deakin University Yzabela Casiguran, Deakin University Bronte Montgomery-Farrer, Deakin University Sarah claydon, Deakin University Matt Lazaridis, Deakin University Beth Jackson, Deakin University Sonali Gupta, Deakin University Ajaa Thuc, Deakin University Sian White, Deakin University Ameena Payne, Deakin University Tareq Elzabri, Deakin University Bree Allingham-MacLaren, Deakin University Jasmine McCulloch, Deakin University Lorika Kadriu, Deakin University Jasmine, Deakin University Armita Abdollahyan, Deakin University Megan Dennis, Deakin University Temam, Deakin University Bianca Whiteside, Deakin University Anna Nguyen, Deakin University Aayesha Fahim Mohamed, Deakin University livroop gill, deakin university Kayla Bond, Deakin University Rose Lewis, Deakin University Jeremy, Deakin University Yzabela Casiguran, Deakin University Bronte Montgomery-Farrer, Deakin University Kiana Dalton, Deakin Uni and Monash Uni Kiana Dalton, Deakin Uni and Monash Uni Kiana Dalton, Deakin Uni and Monash Uni Elizabeth Counihan, Deakin Uni Alumni Elizabeth Counihan, Deakin Uni Alumni Elizabeth Counihan, Deakin Uni Alumni pavani ambagahawattha, deakin uni pavani ambagahawattha, deakin uni pavani ambagahawattha, deakin uni Zoe Guest, Deakin student and deakin casual staff member (students helping students) Estella Corvini, Deakin student Nicole Pavia, Deakin student Jack Gardner, Deakin Student Taylor pahnis , Deakin student Sheharyar Shoaib, Deakin student Masuma Saeed, Deakin student Anjalee , Deakin student Jack, Deakin Student Leonie Cordon, Deakin student Taylor pahnis , Deakin student Jack Gardner, Deakin Student Jack, Deakin Student Nicole Pavia, Deakin student Taylor pahnis , Deakin student Jack Gardner, Deakin Student Jack, Deakin Student Nicole Pavia, Deakin student Winky Ng, Deakin Student Ryan Latch, Deakin Student Tevyn Gov, Deakin student Kazi Atique Moula Nabil, Deakin student Hannah Oliver, Deakin student Jasmine McCulloch , Deakin student Madison, Deakin Student Tay Zar, Deakin Student Sofia hanif, Deakin student Sophronia Armatolos, Deakin student Peter Hansford, Deakin Student Bas Onifade, Deakin student Eli Tutor, Deakin Student Mi Hoa Nguyen, Deakin Student Athiya Ali, Deakin student Maheen Irfan, Deakin student David Kelly, RMIT University Dr Alan Hill, RMIT University Dani, RMIT University Ahsan, Deakin Student Marita, Deakin Student Mohadysa Qandai, Deakin student Zoë Guest, Deakin student Amina Ibrahim, Deakin Student Marita, Deakin Student Mohadysa Qandai, Deakin student Tevyn Gov, Deakin student Zoë Guest, Deakin student Hannah Oliver, Deakin student Sophronia Armatolos, Deakin student Madison, Deakin Student Jasmine McCulloch , Deakin student Bas Onifade, Deakin student Marita, Deakin Student Mohadysa Qandai, Deakin student Tevyn Gov, Deakin student Zoë Guest, Deakin student Hannah Oliver, Deakin student Sophronia Armatolos, Deakin student Madison, Deakin Student Jasmine McCulloch , Deakin student Bas Onifade, Deakin student Mardi Reardon-Smith, Deakin staff member (Research fellow) Margaret Herczeg, Deakin staff member Kiran Pienaar, Deakin staff member Amanda, Deakin staff member Peta Trinder, Deakin staff Geoff Robinson, Deakin staff Polly Bennett, Deakin staff Zim Nwokora, Deakin staff Marcus, Deakin Staff Claire Johnstone, Deakin staff Jill Brown, Deakin staff Jill BROWN, Deakin Staff Sam Lai, Deakin staff Jess Murphy, Deakin Staff Dr Oscar I Roos, Deakin Senior Lecturer Lucinda Buckley, Deakin Professional Staff Christopher O’Neill, Deakin Postdoctoral Fellow – Alfred Deakin Institute Dr David Adamson, Deakin PhD alumni and academic 2007-2020 Clare O’Hanlon, Deakin NTEU member and librarian Brandi, Deakin Lecturer Lauryn Goates, Deakin HDR student Adam Masri, Deakin casual academic Zoe, Deakin Burwood Student Daniel, Deakin Alumnus Liam Ward, Deakin alumni, RMIT Lecturer Chloe, Deakin alumni Nadia Itaywi , Deakin alumni Dr Elliot Dolan-Evans , Deakin Alumni Amalie , Deakin Alumni Amalie , Deakin Alumni Chloe, Deakin alumni Amalie , Deakin Alumni Chloe, Deakin alumni Jonathan O’Donnell, Deakin academic Corrine Lakat, Deakin Q Muller, Deakin Aminath Iasha, Deakin Elena Jephson, deakin Aiden, Deakin Aminath Iasha, Deakin Corrine Lakat, Deakin Syed Ubaid Ahmed , Deakin Connor Coombes, Deakin Piper Kovacic, Deakin Ava Callachor-Fraser, Deakin Oscar Luke, Deakin Therese Grimes, Deakin Ava Callachor, Deakin Renee, Deakin Katy pickup, Deakin Amina Ibrahim, Deakin Sarah MacCauley , Deakin Isabella, Deakin Nyla Alcide, Deakin Natasha Fridey, Deakin Ava Callachor, Deakin Renee, Deakin Connor Coombes, Deakin Oscar Luke, Deakin Syed Ubaid Ahmed , Deakin Katy pickup, Deakin Therese Grimes, Deakin Amina Ibrahim, Deakin Ava Callachor-Fraser, Deakin Sarah MacCauley , Deakin Piper Kovacic, Deakin Isabella, Deakin Nyla Alcide, Deakin Natasha Fridey, Deakin Ava Callachor, Deakin Renee, Deakin Connor Coombes, Deakin Oscar Luke, Deakin Syed Ubaid Ahmed , Deakin Katy pickup, Deakin Therese Grimes, Deakin Amina Ibrahim, Deakin Ava Callachor-Fraser, Deakin Sarah MacCauley, Deakin Piper Kovacic, Deakin Isabella, Deakin Nyla Alcide, Deakin Natasha Fridey, Deakin Stephen Jolly, Councillor City of Yarra Frances Shaw, Concerned citizen Dr. Nancy Hudson-Rodd, Concerned citizen Tom Sandercock, Casual Academic Murray Noonan, Casual Academic Chloe Mackenzie, Branch Vice President, NTEU UniMelb Marie Brennan, Borderlands Cooperative Board Chair Husna Amani, Bachelor of social work student at Deakin Nick Jacksom, Aus worker Rosie Isaac, Associate lecturer, University of Melbourne Sagan Culph , Archaeologist Alison Gibberd, Another university Mahdi Hashemian, Advisor, Recruitment Services Dr Kim Davies, Academic, Deakin University Kim Davies, Academic, Deakin Kathryn Keeble, Academic staff Angela Osborne, Tutor Tahlia kolokithas , Student Kat, Student Oscar Luke, Student Michael Nardi, Student Tanya King, Staff, Deakin Nicholas Payne, Staff member Deakin Palestine Solidarity Group The Deakin Palestine Solidarity Group is comprised of NTEU4P and Deakin NTEU members, as well as other Deakin staff organising against our university’s complicity in Israel’s genocide. More by Deakin Palestine Solidarity Group › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. 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