Rally breaks out at the second OA4P encampment at the Radcliffe Camera

Following the expansion of the Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) encampment to the Radcliffe Camera lawn this morning, over 500 people turned out to a rally in Radcliffe Square. 

A spokesperson from OA4P at the new encampment stated: “It has been two weeks since we put up our first encampment and in those two weeks we have gotten support from every corner of the University.” Since the encampment began, roughly 550 faculty and staff have signed support letter. Around 2000 students have also signed a support statement. 

OA4P stated on their Instagram account: “The University refuses to confront its role in genocide…it’s time for the University to listen.” 

Speaking to the crowd, a protester at the encampment said they intended to disrupt the University’s proceedings and emphasised the disturbance the encampment would cause for students working in the Radcliffe Camera. 

A spokesperson for the encampment told Cherwell: “We are certain the admin do not want this level of action on the Rad Cam Lawn and we insist they reply to our negotiations. As soon as they do, we will take this all down.” 

The encampment led over 500 protesters in chants of “Palestine will be freed” and “stop the genocide”, and “the occupation has got to go.” Musicians were also present at the protest.

In response to news of the encampment, an Oxford University spokesperson told Cherwell: “We are aware of the ongoing demonstration by members of our University community. We respect our students and staff members right to freedom of expression in the form of peaceful protests. We ask everyone who is taking part to do so with respect, courtesy and empathy. Oxford University’s primary focus is the health and safety of the University community, and to ensure any impact on work, research and learning, including student exams, is minimised. As we have stressed in our student and staff communications there is no place for intolerance at the University of Oxford.”