New occupation, new evictions. In France the police intervened Sciences Pothe prestigious political science faculty in the Latin quarter of Paristo evacuate the dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters who were occupying the classrooms of the facility. It seems that around fifty students were present in the premises on rue Saint-Guillaume and the police entered the building. The institute’s mobilization against the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip has now been going on for a week, and has been characterized by the controversies and tensions it has given rise to. Similar tensions have exploded on dozens of university campuses in the United States, where the authorities have often been forced to intervene amid clashes and arrests to restore order.
Police raid on Sciences Po
As reported by Le Figaro the main buildings of Sciences Po Paris were closed in the morning by management decision, following a new occupation by a few dozen students mobilized for Gaza. There police blocked the road and was forced to break in. “A disproportionate response“, some students said Palestinian Committeealso regret the absence of “medical aid” for the seven students who had started a hunger strike the day before. The same Committee, which brings together the affected protesters, announced in a press conference broadcast live on Instagram that it had “rejected the compromise” proposed by the management.
The actions carried out by students in support of Gaza take place mainly in Sciences Po institutes throughout the country France, but few within universities. “We have systematically ordered police intervention to clear the areas around universities as soon as blockades or gatherings occur“, said Palais de Matignon, official residence of the Prime Minister of the French government. As regards the situation in the institutes, some have been resolved through dialogue. For others, requests have been made by the university rectors and the police intervened immediately.”This steadfastness is bearing fruit: yesterday 23 sites were evacuated“, we read in the statement from the same authorities reported by BMFTV.
What happens in Paris
France’s spotlight is now on Sciences Po. Here the arrival of mobile gendarmes and a republican security company, as well as the evacuation of the institute, were partly broadcast on the Palestinian Committee’s own Instagram account. In the images, several students, sitting on the ground, are grabbed one by one by the shoulders by an officer and then directed towards the exit – sometimes dragged on the ground. In another video, students are seen outside the plant.
On Thursday evening, the management of Sciences Po had decided to close the office main building of the university due to a new occupation by several dozen students mobilized for Gaza. “Following the vote on student occupancy, the buildings at 25, 27, 30 rue Saint-Guillaume and 56 rue des Saints-Pères will remain closed tomorrow, Friday 3 May“, read a message from the human resources department of the Po Sciences sent to employees.
After an internal debate on the Middle East which they considered “disappointing, but not surprising“, the students of the Committee had announced the launch of a “peaceful sit-in” in the school atrium and the occupation of the campus.
This action forced the police to intervene again to restore order.
