Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA) have released a statement after a liaison with the University of Edinburgh following an on-campus knife attack last week.
On Friday, 28 March, Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine (EUJPS) held a peaceful protest at the Main Library in George Square before moving to Old College Quad.
A member of the public attacked the protestors with a box knife, allegedly shouting hate speech and displaying violent behaviour.
University Security was present at the protest but did not intervene.
In a statement on their website, EUSA has said they are “not satisfied at all” in their communication with the University of Edinburgh and are calling for an “urgent, transparent review” of the university’s response to student protests to ensure the safety of students on campus.
EUSA’s statement continued:
“We were told by University Security that they followed protocol and would not have changed their response. We find this position and the University’s lack of recognition of students’ concerns indefensible. It is the role of security not just to respond to an incident but also to take preventative measures where possible to keep students safe. Students deserve to know that when they report threatening behaviour, their safety will be prioritised, and staff will act. This did not occur.”
EUJPS told The Student after the protest:
“Security’s apathy to violence in the context of student protests is unfortunately not new, recalling the incident in which two students were attacked during the encampment in plain view of security officers.”
EUSA say they have been in touch with Ben Law, the student who was attacked. Alongside Law, and other student demonstrators, EUSA have issued three demands to the University of Edinburgh going forward:
- The University apologise to its students and takes responsibility for failing to keep its students safe.
- The University publish its security protocol and commissions an external review of the incident. This information should be made available for students’ knowledge.
- The University’s security protocol is immediately reviewed and changed to ensure future incidents are effectively managed, publishing the outcome of this review so students are kept informed.
The incident is currently being investigated by Police Scotland.
You can read EUSA’s full statement here.
Image via Marie Sheets.