The Gods Cafe today protested their forced closure due to the Union Court redevelopment. The demonstration was designed to rally support for the cafe ahead of possible legal action against ANU, although fewer than 20 students attended.
Gods representative Harry Cohen spoke on issues between Gods and the university over the demolition of the Arts Centre and the pop-up village. He stated that “ANU is acting unethically, immorally and borderline illegally” and that “no fair deal” had been offered to the Gods for a move to the pop-up village. Gods had previously been offered a space in the village, but at a significantly decreased space, and with increased rent per square metre. The cafe sought a large payout from ANU, citing the recent renovation of the cafe at their own cost, and the losses they would incur in the pop-up village. When an agreement could not be reached Gods refused to move to the Village, and ANU terminated the lease.
Cohen hoped that the event would draw attention to the matter, and encouraged students to sign a petition to the university for Gods to remain at ANU. At time of publication, this petition has been running for four days and garnered 800 signatures. Cohen also urged students to write to their student reps and to the university itself, and asked them to consider “After Gods and after Bruce, what’s next?”
Speaking to Observer, Cohen confirmed Gods was considering legal action against ANU under tenancy laws, and that it was a “difficult path to follow”, but hoped that it would force the university to offer the Gods café a fair deal. He stated that was unlikely that Gods will remain open on campus, including the Hedley Bull location, after the 3rd of July.
