Palestine Action protesters have defaced a Grade I listed building at Cambridge University in what has been described as an act of “absolutely appalling vandalism”.
The group targeted The Old Schools on Trinity Lane on Wednesday, which houses the office that manages the university’s endowment fund.
The action comes just days after a High Court judge granted an injunction aimed at preventing pro-Palestinian demonstrators from disrupting a graduation ceremony.
The activist group said it collaborated with students to mark the building as part of their protest action.
Palestine Action protesters have defaced a Grade I listed building at Cambridge University in what has been described as an act of “absolutely appalling vandalism”
Palestine Action
A lecturer, Adrian Hilton, shared an image of the defaced building on social media platform X.
“I’ve just seen what Palestine Action have done to Old Schools. Grade I listed. Absolutely appalling vandalism,” he wrote.
The university swiftly condemned the action, with a spokesperson stating: “We strongly condemn this vandalism of University property. The police have been informed.”
Palestine Action said their activists are demanding full disclosure of the university’s investments.
They want “immediate divestment from companies complicit in war crimes and the Israeli apartheid regime.”
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A spokesperson from the group said: “Each life lost in Palestine is a human being with dreams, loved ones, and a future stolen.
“As long as the university continues to profit from violence, we will continue to take action in solidarity with Palestinians who endure daily oppression and destruction.”
Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they have recorded the incident as criminal damage to the building.
It is not the first protest action at Cambridge University related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Palestine Action targeted Senate House at Cambridge University in June last year
PA
In May, the university was forced to move graduation ceremonies to an undisclosed “alternative location” after student activists set up camp outside Senate House.
Protesters had pitched tents on the lawn outside the venue, which has hosted ceremonies since the 18th century.
The university said at the time: “We regret that due to the ongoing presence of protesters on Senate House lawn, we have taken the very difficult decision to make alternative arrangements for the Degree Congregations this weekend.”
“All students who want to graduate this weekend will still be able to attend their Degree Congregation at an alternative location that is fitting of the occasion.”