Oxford University has been forced to cancel exams after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied a building.
The demonstrators entered the hall in the East School ahead of the scheduled exams on Thursday morning.
Around six protestors were reportedly seen inside the Examination Schools carrying Palestine flags.
One student told Cherwell, an Oxford student newspaper, that a group stayed in the building on High Street, Oxford, overnight. A second group of around 20 people wearing “masks and backpacks” then later attempted to enter, they said.
Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) issued a statement saying it needed “support outside Exam Schools”. It is not clear if those who disrupted the exams are members of OA4P.
It is thought both preliminary and final examinations were due to take place in the building.
Some students have been told to expect a “minor delay” and that exams in the East School have been cancelled. Assessments scheduled for Thursday in the Exam Schools, but not in East School, are expected to take place.
‘Unacceptable disruption caused to our students’
A spokesperson from the University of Oxford told Cherwell: “The University is disappointed with this morning’s occupation of the Exam Schools and the absolutely unacceptable disruption caused to our students. We are putting into place contingency plans to ensure all students will have the opportunity to sit their examinations with as little disruption as possible.
“It is unclear who the occupying group are representing, as they claim to be acting without the knowledge of the OA4P encampments. While the University supports the right to peaceful protest within the law and our rules, this action plainly goes beyond the bounds of acceptable protest.”
Sixteen pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested last month after occupying a building at the university.
Thames Valley Police arrested demonstrators from the OA4P group on suspicion of aggravated trespass, with one detained on suspicion of common assault.
The protesters had entered an administrative building in Oxford’s Wellington Square and hung a banner from the first floor with a list of seven demands for the university. They included calls for the institution to “disclose all finances”, “divest from Israeli genocide, apartheid, and occupation”, and “support Palestinian-led rebuilding of education in Gaza”.
The building, where Oxford college heads had been meeting at the time, was placed in lockdown. Footage posted on social media by OA4P also showed altercations between police officers and students on the road outside.
