Police have issued members of the pro-Palestine encampment with a move-on order, with campers told they have until 12:00 pm tomorrow to relocate to the grassy area in front of the Engineering Building.
It comes after ANU Security issued its own move-on order this morning, as a spokesperson argued, “the encampment’s continued presence in this critical area poses an unacceptable risk to the safety and security of our staff and students.”
“Effective immediately, you are required to pack up and remove all tents and encampment materials. Non-compliance with this directive will result in further action, including potential involvement of AFP to ensure that the order is carried out.”
Within hours, the number of protesters at the encampment ballooned, with at least 150 students forming a line around its perimeter.
As police arrived on campus, hundreds of students quickly formed a perimeter around the encampment.
At least 20 AFP officers then made their way onto the campus, where multiple vans, SUVs, and several paddy wagons were parked across from Kambri bridge.
“I wasn’t a protester before,” said Sashank, a student who joined the line.
“But if you’re removing students for simply the act of protesting, that’s vile. I didn’t join before but I’m coming in now because the university has escalated it and it’s threatening freedom of speech and academic freedom,” Sashank told Observer’s Jasmine Cook.
Anticipating their potential arrest, many within the encampment began to write legal aid phone numbers on their arms.
Anticipating arrests, protesters write the legal aid phone number on their arms.
Speaking to Observer, protester Aleesya told reporter Angela Paulson that, “getting arrested is always a fear but I know that we’re not doing anything wrong…we are exercising our right to peacefully protest at the university especially when we believe that the university is in the wrong…”
By 2:00pm, the AFP had set up a loudspeaker blasting a warning to the encampment.
As cries of “shame” bellowed out from the crowd, a constable announced that protesters had until 12:00 pm tomorrow to disband the encampment and move the site to the lawned area outside the Engineering building.
“Non-compliance may result in further action by ACT policing.”
Within minutes, Encampment member and rally leader, Nick Reich, gave his own announcement to supporters, telling them to mobilise back at the encampment tomorrow morning so that there would be “as many people here as possible at 12:00 pm tomorrow.”
As a standoff with police looms, the Student Union ANUSA says it will seek to provide legal assistance to any protesters who are arrested.
Speaking to Observer, ANUSA President Phoenix O’Neill (They/them) said the union has always been against the university using any kind of force against protesters.
“This escalation is dangerous for all students, and to use force rather than negotiating with the encampment is a terrible idea that will only put students in danger.”
When asked if ANUSA will provide legal assistance to students who may face arrest, O’Neill confirmed it would.
“We’re still sorting out what that might look like, but we have a lot of contacts and the ability to refer people to legal aid as well.”
Speaking to Observer, a spokesperson from ANU said “ANU is working with ACT Policing to ensure the safe removal of people from the current encampment.”
Despite Reich telling crowds the encampment will not move, the spokesperson noted that “encampment participants have asked for additional time to vacate the Kambri lawn.”
“Failure to comply with a reasonable direction from ANU, or police, could lead to potential disciplinary action under the University’s code of conduct.”
Observer’s coverage of the latest developments with the encampment will continue tomorrow morning.
