Students occupy Samuel Alexander ahead of the World Academic Summit

On the evening of October 4, students at the University of Manchester occupied the Samuel Alexander building.

The occupation was planned to coincide with the anniversary of October 7 which also coincided with the dates of the World Academic Summit, hosted by Times Higher Education. 

The conference took place on the University of Manchester campus from October 7 to 9, 2024. 

Delegates will be coming from across the worldwide education sector with the agenda themes outlined as “global impact for the common good” along with the “importance of civic responsibility”. 

Additional demonstrations took place on Monday 7 at both University Place and the Whitworth Art Gallery, on the anniversary of the conflict starting this time last year.

Students continue to call for the University of Manchester to “cut ties with Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem” as well as ending commercial partnership with BAE systems. 

Additionally, Manchester Leftist Action has called for “No disciplinary actions against students” as these demonstrations take place. 

A spokesperson from Manchester Leftist Action said:

“As students here we cannot stay silent while our counterparts in Gaza have no universities to go to. Last year, students were at the forefront of global solidarity with Palestine, and we continue with the same spirit of defiance this year. We begin this academic year relentless as ever in our pursuit of justice. The University’s shameful ties to a settler-colonial regime must end on our watch, and this is the minimum we could do for the Palestinian people that have been enduring Zionist violence for over 76 years.”

These are not the first occupations on the University campus in relation to the ongoing war on Gaza.

Previously students have occupied the Roscoe Building and the Simon Building over the Universities ties with Israel.

Manchester Leftist Action occupied Samuel Alexander in November 2023, accompanied by a "national student walkout".

A University spokesperson said:

"On Friday last week a small number of protestors gained unauthorised access the Samuel Alexander building. Campus Support and Security were in attendance to ensure everyone’s safety, including over the weekend. The protestors have since vacated the building with normal operations and teaching having resumed."

The University of Manchester Students' Union has been contacted with a request for comment.