17 October 2024

We the undersigned, academics and professional staff at Australian Universities, seek your immediate assurance that Western Sydney University (WSU) will stop enabling police presence on its campuses for the purpose of suppressing and deterring student protests.

As academics who share a commitment to the democratic rights of assembly, protest, expression and dissent especially within the context of institutions of higher learning, we are outraged that police brutality is being unleashed against students engaging in protest of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and massacres in  Lebanon, which have already claimed over 44,000 lives, with some experts estimating the numbers are in the hundred thousands.

On 9 October 2024 students assembled to demand that WSU divest from companies involved in weaponized planes, drones, and other instruments of war. Their protest was an act of conscience against the ongoing massacres in Gaza and Lebanon.

In a disturbing violation of democratic rights, police and riot squad arrived heavily armed and escalated what had been a peaceful sit-in. Shocking footage widely circulated online shows police officers intimidating students and staff, and forcefully arresting two students. Plainclothes officers armed with weapons were deployed alongside uniformed police, further intensifying the situation. An additional raid and arrest were made in the day following the protest, fuelling fear and panic in the student population. The students were charged with assault and resisting arrest and draconian bail conditions were imposed including being banned from campus and from contacting members of WSU for Palestine Collective including academic staff.

This crackdown appears to have been premeditated by WSU management and campus security. Before the protest began, WSU’s Director of Campus Safety and Security, Anthony Attard, sent an email to staff indicating that measures were in place to prevent the protest from disrupting university activities, alluding to the police presence that was already visible across the campus. Despite later denials from university officials, the deployment of police units appears to have been coordinated at high levels of university administration and government.

As an institution that prides itself on offering a home to students from diverse, working class, racialised and other marginalised backgrounds, the move to criminalise student protest by allowing violent police presence reveals the limit point of the university’s inclusivity.  WSU management views its students in Parramatta, many of whom have family members directly affected by the violence in Palestine and Lebanon, with contempt if its response to acts of conscience and protest is criminalisation.  While WSU teaches the violence of criminalisation and racialisation in its criminology courses and classrooms, it is being violently practiced on its campuses.

The heavy-handed police action at WSU is not just an attack on the students arrested but on all those who dare to speak out against injustice. The students were simply using their voices and presence to bring attention to WSU’s complicity in the violence occurring in Palestine and Lebanon. The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and association, Gina Romero, recently called universities to protect the right of students, to “actively facilitate and protect peaceful assemblies, refrain from and cease any surveillance and retributions against students and staff for expressing their views or participating in peaceful assemblies, and ensure transparent and independent investigation into human rights violations that occurred in the context of the camps and other peaceful assemblies, revoke sanctions related to the exercise of fundamental freedoms, and provide effective and full remedies to affected students and staff.”

The arrests at WSU are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader pattern of police repression across Australian universities against those who protest against Israel’s atrocities. Police have maintained a repeated presence at pro-Palestinian protests at Universities such as Macquarie, ANU and WSU, and management have repeatedly threatened students with police action, creating an atmosphere of intimidation for students and faculty alike.

We demand that the democratic rights of students on Australian campuses be upheld and protected. As academics from Australian universities, we demand:

1. A full and independent investigation into the conduct of police and campus security during the protest at WSU, with specific attention to the excessive use of force against unarmed students and faculty.

2. An immediate halt to any further police involvement in campus protests, to ensure that WSU remains a place for open debate and free expression, not a site of state repression.

3. Accountability from Western Sydney University’s leadership, particularly Vice-Chancellor George Williams, who must explain the university’s role in this violent suppression and commit to protecting students’ right to protest.

4. Drop charges and immediately suspend the bail conditions imposed on the arrested students, which limit their freedom of movement and further penalise them for engaging in non-violent protest.

5. A transparent and expedited process to sever WSU’s financial ties to Israeli military-linked companies, as demanded by the students.

The students at WSU, like their peers around the world, have bravely stood up against war crimes and genocide. We unreservedly support students in their calls for justice.  We demand that universities remain places where dissent is not only tolerated but encouraged as part of a thriving democratic society.

We stand in solidarity with those arrested and with all students and staff who continue to resist the militarization of Australian universities and stand against genocide. As the global tide of repression rises, our response is to defend free speech, protest, and the right to advocate for a more just world.

If you wish to add your name to the letter, please use this form.

In solidarity,

A/Prof Maria Giannacopoulos, UNSW
Nathan Zhao, Macquarie University
A/Prof Jumana Bayeh, Macquarie University
Dr Nick Riemer, University of Sydney
Susan Barnes, Macquarie University
Aiden Magro, University of Sydney
Vasiliki Franco-Klothos, PhD Candidate, UNSW
Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, Macquarie University
Dr Lana Tatour, UNSW
Professor Karima Laachir, ANU
Professor Alana Lentin, Western Sydney University
Dr Natalia Maystorovich Chulio, University of Sydney
Antoinette Abboud, Western Sydney University
Dr Lucia Sorbera, The University of Sydney
Dr Na’ama Carlin, UNSW
Dr Noam Peleg, UNSW
Associate Professor Phillip Wadds, Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW
Dr Stephen Pascoe, UNSW
Dr Astrid Lorange, UNSW
Dr Andy Kaladelfos, University of New South Wales
Dr Daej Arab
Dr Ann El Khoury, University of Sydney
Dr Markela Panegyres, University of Sydney
HDR candidate, Aman, University of New South Wales
Dr Alex Luke, University of Sydney
Dr Jordana Silverstein, University of Melbourne
Elise Klein, ANU
Dr Julia Dehm, La Trobe University
Dr. Adil Hasan Khan, The University of Melbourne
Dr Ben Spies-Butcher, Macquarie University
Dr David Brophy, University of Sydney
Dr Eve Vincent, Macquarie University
A/Prof Ntina Tzouvala, ANU
A/Prof Jessica Whyte, UNSW
Gabriel Curtin, UNSW
Dr Dariush Izadi, Western Sydney University
Dr Ingrid Matthews
Dr Andrew Brooks, UNSW
Melanie Morrison, The University of Sydney
A/Prof Tanja Dreher, UNSW
Toyah Webb, UNSW
Dr Anastasia Murney, UNSW
Dr Steven Hansen, Macquarie University
Susan Barnes, Macquarie University
Dr Jenna Condie, Western Sydney University
Dr Sara Dehm, University of Technology Sydney
A/Prof Sukhmani Khorana, UNSW
June Acido Miskell, UNSW
Professor Juan Tauri, University of Melbourne
A/Prof Debbie Bargallie, Griffith University
A/Prof Mary Zournazi, UNSW
Natalie Ironfield
A/Prof Catherine Kevin, Flinders University
Professor Joseph Pugliese, Macquarie University
Alex Moulis, UNSW
Dr Scott East, UNSW
Dr Erica Millar, La Trobe University
Dr Elizabeth Humphrys, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Marivic Wyndham, UTS
Professor Amanda Wise, Macquarie University
Dr Ruth De Souza RMIT University
Professor Luke McNamara, UNSW
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Suvendrini Perera
Dr Lara Palombo, Macquarie University
Dr Emma Mitchell, Macquarie University
Dr Anam Bilgrami, Macquarie University
Dr Amanda Porter, University of Melbourne
Dr Alistair Sisson, Macquarie University
A/Prof Selvaraj Velayutham Macquarie University
Dr Roar (Aurora) Murphy
Dr. Zainul Swaleh, Macquarie University
A/Prof Zora Simic, UNSW
Professor Julia Quilter, University of Wollongong
Eliza Carter, Macquarie University
Dr Maimuna Musarrat, WSU
Dr Andonis Piperoglou, University of Melbourne
Associate Prof Ali Gumillya Baker, Flinders University
Dr Andrew Whelan, University of Wollongong
A/Prof Padraic Gibson, Jumbunna Research, University of Technology Sydney
Anabelle Lacroix, UNSW
Joe Tedeschi, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Paul Byron, UTS
Dr Edson Ziso, The University of Adelaide
Siobhain O’Leary, Western Sydney University
Professor Julia Quilter, University of Wollongong
Professor Melinda Cooper, ANU
Dr Niro Kandasamy, the University of Sydney
Dr Shima Shahbazi, WSU
Dr Scott Matter, UTS
Skye Wagner, UNSW
Dr Kathleen Openshaw, Western Sydney University
Dr Sarah Redshaw, Charles Sturt University
Associate Professor George Morgan, WSU
Dr Kaitlin Lake, The University of Sydney
Professor Cristina Rocha, WSU
Dr Mark Hanly, UNSW
A/Prof Jane Carey, University of Wollongong
Associate Professor Alison Holland, Macquarie University
Dr Mehal Krayem, UTS
Dr Lloyd Cox, Macquarie University
Dr Tatjana Seizova-Cajic, The University of Sydney
A/Prof Crystal McKinnon, University of Melbourne
Finola Laughren, University of Sydney
Dr Bree Carlton, University of Melbourne
Kaiya Aboagye WSU
An Nguyen, University of Sydney
Dr Suneel Jethani, UTS
Dr Claire Parfitt, University of Sydney
Dr Mike Roberts, UNSW
Flavia Julius, Macquarie University
Dr Ben Silverstein, ANU
Adjunct A/Prof Chris Andrews, WSU
Dr Hossai Gul, Transdisciplinary School, UTS
Sonia Qadir, UNSW
Dr Tegan Bennett Daylight WSU
Dr Effie Karageorgos, The University of Newcastle
Dr Gabriela Loureiro, University of Wollongong
Professor Linda Briskman, Western Sydney University
Associate Professor Mary Anne Kenny, Murdoch University
Dr Shawna Tang, University of Sydney
Dr Felicity Castagna, Western Sydney University
Dr Selda Dagistanli, WSU
A/Prof Kristopher Wilson, WSU
Dr Rachel Yuen-Collingridge, Macquarie University
Maryam Hashimi, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Anthea Vogl, UTS
Dr Alison Atkinson-Phillips, Murdoch University
A/Prof Charles Cranfield, UTS
Associate Professor Geir Henning Presterudstuen, University of Bergen & Western Sydney University
Miss Thilakshi Mallawa Arachchi. Western Sydney University
Ekaterina Heath, University of Sydney
Dr. Kathleen Blair, UTS
Dr Betty Luu, Western Sydney University
Oishika Sinha WSU
Dr Rodrigo Perez, MQU
Carlos Vasquez, WSU Studenr
Dr Nilmini Fernando Griffith University
Dr Quah Ee Ling
Claire Brownlie, Western Sydney Uni
Zubia Usman, WSU
Dr Zouhir Gabsi, Deakin University
Dr Alexia Derbas
Prof Marinella Marmo, Flinders University
Professor Louise Crabtree-Hayes, Western Sydney University
Dr Helen Taylor, Charles Sturt University
Student, Wasmiya Alashour, USYD
Dr Jeremy Ryder, Flinders University
Carlos Cervantes
Riyadh Al-Naseri, WSU
Nestor Robles, WSU
Dr Emma Rayward, University of Sydney
Dr Kate Seymour, Flinders University
Assoc Prof Barbara Baird, Flinders University
Shobana Nair
Zeejay You, WSU
Asma Nayim Ullah, UTS
Dr Dylan McConnell, UNSW
Dr Jack Desbiolles, University of South Australia
Mr. Vince De Guzman, WSU
Mohini Tribhuvan
Dr Jane Brophy, University of Melbourne
Dr Niall Edwards-FitzSimons, University of Sydney
Dr Lobna Yassine, University of Sydney
Rakan Al-Omari, ACAP
Mr Michael Irechukwu, WSU
Dr Belinda A.Green
Deanne Dale University of Wollongong
Allen Nguyen, Fairfield For Palestine
Social Worker – Ominah Arsalah – Youth off the Streets
Dr Amelia Wheeler, University of Canberra
Michelle Lin, UOW & WSU
Ming Chung Kan, Student
Bethlehem Mekonnen, UTS
Dr Victoria Mason, Murdoch University
Siobhán Costigan, University of Technology Sydney
Hamilton Kennedy, La Trobe University
Prof Leanne Weber, University of Canberra
Sophie Toocaram, Australian Catholic University
Dr George Dertadian, UNSW
Mrs Jemma Moody-Pugh, Deakin University
Valerie Ang, Student, WSU
Ryan David da silva
Blayze Wood, WSU Student
Rukaya Mallouk
Dr Sacha Jamieson, University of Sydney
Dr Ned Curthoys, The University of Western Australia
Lilith Angle
Hallie Stubbs
BSW Gabrielle Gillespie
Dr Clare Milledge, UNSW
Dr Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, University of South Australia
Xuancheng Pan, WSU
Dr Kate Saxton, UniSQ
Jay Delves, WSU
Hanna Elkofairi, Western Sydney University
Student, Bailey Hand, Western Sydney University
Associate Professor Ros Darracott, University of Southern Queensland
Dr Blythe Worthy, USYD
Dr Lee WSU
Dr Ioana A. Dumitru, University of Sydney
Dr Oliver Kunz, UNSW Sydney
Shalini Surandra, WSU
Kuba Dorabialski, UNSW
Mya Miller
Dr Natalie Hendry, Uni of Melb
Ali Khan
Student, Banean Mouhaidle, WSU
Natalie Femia, University of Sydney
Dr David Carter, UNSW
Summer Subakti, WSU Student
Saliha Ameer, Student, La Trobe University
Aaliyah Saleh, WSU
Jasmine Pik, Western Sydney University
Student, Amir ajaj, Western Sydney University
Ellen Teece, WSU student
Jodie, WSU
Student, Uswah Rahman, WSU
Yulita Bassilious, Western Sydney University
Caroline Ayad, Western Sydney University
Kiara David, Western Sydney University
Professor Juan Salazar Western Sydney University
Joshua Sajo, WSU
Dr Paula Sanchez, WSU
Mariam Merhi, University of Sydney Student
Dr Tim Anderson, Director, Centre for Counter Hegemonic Studies
A/Prof Ben Etherington, Western Sydney University
Lilli Barto, University of Sydney
Professor Matthias Boer, Western Sydney University
Zuhairah Dindar, UNSW
Dr Sana Pathan, WSU alumni

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