A hundred activists took effective action on Friday at the official opening of the academic year at UGent. They formed a ‘honorary hedge’ around the UFO building and showed banners with the message “You’re Supporting Genocide”, to point out the university to delayed decisions about collaboration with Israeli institutions.
After that, fifteen professors also chanted groceries against the genocide, and they demanded more attention for Gaza. Outgoing rector Rik van de Walle called on to leave the room. Eventually the opening ceremony began with almost 45 minutes delay.
According to the campaigners, UGent promised to stop the collaboration last year, but was not yet complied with. The police were massively present to secure access; All guests, including rectors, politicians and ministers of state, had to show their identity upon arrival.