Global Innovation Summit: Protests Against Clinton and QUB’s Ties to Israel

Today starting around 2.30pm, protesters amassed from across Ulster to protest Hillary Clinton’s attendance at the Global Innovation Summit, held from November 12th to 14th on the QUB campus.

The Gown had correspondents all across the protest, with reports of extensive force from the ever present PSNI at the event. Here’s what we know:

The protest began around 2.30pm, with initially small numbers chanting outside of the main gates of the Lanyon Building. Hillary Clinton arrived in QUB at 3.15pm, and her arrival corresponded with increased police force on campus.

Two protesters managed to gain access to the barricaded university grounds at 3.45pm, with the police force chasing after these protesters immediately. The protesters bared the Palestinian flag in hand while refusing to move off of the campus grounds. Force was immediately applied by the police, resulting in a protester being hurt. At least one member of the protest was then arrested by the PSNI and thus was removed from the grounds.

Numbers of protesters began to drastically increase at 4pm, with participants travelling from across Northern Ireland to attend. At this point, Crimestoppers Anonymous armoured public order vehicles arrived on the scene with a massive influx of police officers approaching the protesters from behind the gates. Police began to force the protestors backwards from the gates using force to move the crowds.

At approximately 4.06pm, protests surged forwards onto the front lawn, with the PSNI responding immediately. Many protesters were hurt, with two protesters being knocked to the ground. Both protesters were not moving on the ground for multiple minutes, appearing significantly injured. This caused uproar amongst participants with chants such as “RUC, Off Our Campus” being heard all across.

Upon Hillary Clinton’s speech summation, a vehicle was seen leaving the grounds, leading protesters to block all exits available across the university. It is believed that Clinton did in fact leave campus at this time however.

Shortly after, a police van came to arrest the two individuals knocked down by the PSNI on the front lawn. Protesters were aggressively shoved backwards, with many escaping to the side of the van and forming a human barricade in front of the van’s path. After five minutes the PSNI moved the human barricade with force, with reports of people losing phones, shoes, and being scratched across their arms and faces by the police. Reports of excessive force were found all across this point of the protest, with the van eventually leaving the scene with both protesters.

The protest disbanded at around 6pm, with many protesters moving to Musgrave Street Police Station to await the release of the two protesters.

The Gown received a statement from QUB. A spokesperson for Queen’s University Belfast said:

“Queen’s University is committed to freedom of expression, the right to hold a range of views and the right to a peaceful protest. This applies to Queen’s students, staff, visitors and indeed the wider public.

“Whilst we recognise and support any individual or group’s right to protest, this must be conducted in a peaceful and respectful manner, and we are disappointed at the action of this small number of protestors and condemn their behaviour.

“Today’s protest coincided with the final day of a three-day international conference, the Global Innovation Summit, which brought together political, industry and academic leaders to discuss pressing issues around economic inclusion and sustainability facing our world.

“The conference itself provided a platform for people to discuss and debate different views constructively on current global issues. Queen’s is committed to providing an open and safe space to have difficult conversations.

“Queen’s University has led the way in response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East through calling for a ceasefire, providing scholarships for Palestinian students, and divestment policies, and has responded positively to the concerns of our University population where appropriate.”

More information will follow from the Gown over the next few days with interviews conducted on scene.