Deputy Editor Ilaria Riccio discusses the latest demonstration organised by Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union to condemn the university’s lack of a stance in support of Palestine.
On the evening of Wednesday, 29th November, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union, Trinity College Dublin BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions), and a group of students occupied Regent House in an act of protest against the college’s silence on the current escalation in Gaza by the hands of the Israeli government. This demonstration coincided with UCDSU’s sit-in on the N11 bypass, and both demonstrations took place on the International Day of Solidarity with Palestine.
TCDSU had already organiSed several demonstrations in which they denounced TCD’s refusal to take a stance in support of Palestine. This silence was particularly loud considering how several TCD academics had signed an open letter, published in The Irish Times on 4th November, in which Irish academics called for the boycott of Israeli institutions.
On 8th November, both the University Times and Trinity News reported a statement by TCDSU President László Molnárfi, in which he revealed that an FOI request proved that TCD has ties with at least thirteen Israeli universities - some of which are actively contributing to the military actions of the IDF.
Speaking to the University Observer, Molnárfi stated that TCDSU and TCD BDS resorted to disruptive action following the failure of methods such as letters and petitions to prompt TCD to take a stance on the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Specifically, Molnárfi expressed the importance of disruptive actions in such situations, especially considering how their initial “pleas had fallen on deaf ears.”
“Speaking to the University Observer, Molnárfi stated that TCDSU and TCD BDS resorted to disruptive action following the failure of methods such as letters and petitions to prompt TCD to take a stance on the ongoing crisis in Gaza.”
The occupation of Regent House was inaugurated by Molnárfi, who read a statement in which he expressed his and the students’ disgust at the “College’s complicity in genocide and indiscriminate killing of men, women and children in Gaza”, as reported by the Univeristy Times. Molnárfi continued by declaring Regent House “an autonomous zone” within TCD, which would remain occupied indefinitely. Molnárfi concluded by calling out TCD’s double standards, mentioning how they promptly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 but failed to do the same for Israel. On this matter, speaking to the University Observer, Molnárfi asked “Are Palestinians’ lives worth less than Ukrainian lives?”
Molnárfi asked ‘are Palestinians’ lives worth less than Ukrainian lives?’”
The occupation of Regent House generated positive responses on social media, as well as amongst TCD students and staff. Notably, Trinity News reported that the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) expressed its support for the demonstration in TCD, inviting students “to join a solidarity protest at the front gate at Trinity”.
Alongside occupying the building, banners with messages of support for Palestine were draped outside House 6, whilst Trinity News reports that post-it notes with the names of Palestinian casualties were stuck along the occupied staircase.
Nevertheless, Molnárfi expressed his disappointment at the TCD’s reaction to the demonstration, citing how they purposefully triggered fire alarms to force occupants to leave the building and imposed strict security measures despite the occupation being peaceful - as also reported by The University Times and Trinity News. Molnárfi and Trinity News also flagged that Gardaì were called at around 11 PM.
The University Times also reported that the hanging of banners outside the building prompted the TCD governing authority to enforce its Banner Protocol in an attempt to have them removed. Specifically, the protocol prevents the hanging of banners that would “compromise the University neutrality” without prior approval from the College Secretary - which appears to be the case in this demonstration. Furthermore, the Protocol forbids the hanging of banners from TCD’s Front Gates.
The lacklustre reaction of TCD’s governing authority to the demonstration led Molnárfi to consider their attitude a stance in itself. Specifically, the TCDSU President argued that “not taking action is taking a side. Being neutral in the face of injustice and oppression is taking the side of the oppressor. So we think that [Trinity] have said enough.”
“The lacklustre reaction of TCD’s governing authority to the demonstration led Molnárfi to consider their attitude a stance in itself.”
The occupation ended at 8 AM on Thursday, 30th November. Whilst the demonstration was cut short due to the work commitments of the occupants, Molnárfi promises that “this was just a little taste of what could come in the future. [...] Trinity should expect this multiplied by a hundred.”