Allegations relating to a campus demonstration in July led to seven students being put under ‘precautionary measures.’
The London School of Economics (LSE) has been criticized by a UN rapporteur and accused of Islamophobia following reportedly rising concerns that students behind a pro-Palestine protest in July have incited fears of a repeat of the 7/7 terrorist attacks.
Seven students, four females and three males, have been put under ‘precautionary measures’, limiting their access to the university campus over allegations of a noisy demonstration on July 7 in the atrium of the LSE student service.
The university stated in a letter addressing the group of the action and the additional disciplinary measures. The institution stated that “several witnesses, including security guards and members of staff, expressed concerns, fear and distress” over their conduct.
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The university quoted a member of staff claiming that the protest had led “many in the room” to fear a “physical attack”. The feeling was described as “heightened” by its coincidental timing on the 19th anniversary of the 2005 bombings.
The students demanding LSE to divest from companies working with the Israeli military deny claims, which they say have been used to choke free expression.
The UN special rapporteur on the rights to Freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Gina Romero, has issued a written report asking the university to reconsider the decision to open the disciplinary procedure.
She stated: “I am concerned about information I received regarding stigmatization and reprisals that some students of the London School of Economics are facing for their participation in peaceful protests questioning university’s investments that they consider are against [international human rights].”
One of the alleged demonstrated, Emily, a 24-year-old postgraduate student who paid £26,000 for a one-year humanities course, claimed that the alleged linking of a pro-Palestine protest to the July 7 attack had been “racist and Islamophobic”.
The EU national stated, “I was four when the London bombing happened. I wasn’t even in the country, and I had never heard of the London bombing until I received my letter.
“It was said that people were running away. But we’ve been given CCTV evidence from the day that shows that no one ran away.”
The students were initially informed that they could be prohibited from accessing any LSE buildings, however, the university stated that they have been granted access to the library, where online materials are insufficient for students to complete their studies. It has also been made clear that students who haven’t submitted their dissertations have been granted access to the library from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.
The university accused masked students carrying a banner and megaphone of “shouting loudly and aggressively as they marched down in military style” into the atrium to demonstrate at 11.45 am on July 7.
The institution presented testimony from a member of staff as evidence of the group’s alleged behaviour, which further stated: “Many people in the room were fearful that this was a physical attack. This feeling and fear was especially heightened given that it was the anniversary of the London bombings.”
The testimony continued: A female student literally sprinted out of the room in fear. This cannot be overemphasized; the student feared her life, which could have far-reaching consequences for her.”
The head of public advocacy at the campaign group Cage, Anas Mustapha, said, “The London School of Economics’ vilification, suspension and mistreatment of its students exemplifies one of the harshest responses to student activism in the UK and is deeply troubling.”
According to an LSE spokesperson, the investigation was still ongoing. She stated: “Freedom of speech and expression are of utmost importance to LSE and underpin everything we do. Our free speech policy is designed to protect and promote peaceful Freedom of expression on campus.
“LSE will take measures against protesters only if a protest crosses the line into illegality, is threatening to individuals, or significantly disrupts the community. The escalated tactics alleged to have been used by protesters on 7 July included intimidating and frightening people and a significant obstruction of LSE staff trying to perform their duties. Numerous individuals present described it as an extremely distressing experience.
“While we do not generally comment on the specifics of disciplinary action, we can confirm that LSE itself did not compare the demonstration with the 7/7 London bombings. Any mention of the 7/7 attack came from a witness impact statement by a member of the community who was affected by the protest.”
