GAAF protest scheduled for first day of term

A demonstration in support of divestment will take place as students return to campus on Monday.

The student campaign group, Glasgow Against Arms and Fossil Fuels (GAAF), have announced their intention to hold a rally on the first day of term. The demonstration is scheduled to be held on University Place. Last year, the student campaign group was involved in a number of demonstrations in support of Palestine and in protest of the University’s investments in arms companies.

A post on social media announcing the rally read: “Last semester, students and staff continued to unite to demand that our university divests their blood money from all arms companies. Yet, they chose to ignore us time and time again.”

The previous semester saw a consultation for students and staff on the University’s Socially Responsible Investment policy. This led to the University Court voting against a motion to suspend the University’s investments in arms companies such as BAE Systems and Thales.

'It is evident where the University’s interests lie. This semester, we promise nothing but disruption.'

GAAF went on to say: “Instead of listening to the student body, Glasgow university took a much more aggressive and hostile attitude towards student activism for Palestine on campus. It threatened students with suspension of studies and voted against divestment from the arms trade…It is evident where the university’s interests lie. This semester, we promise nothing but disruption.”

An email shared by GAAF in October of last year appeared to show University Secretary, David Duncan, threatening students with “suspension of studies” in the event of further disruptive protests. This followed a protest held by GAAF in which they disrupted a University of Glasgow careers fair because it included stalls from the likes of the Royal Air Force.

So far no students have reported to have been suspended from their studies as a result of direct action within the University. Last February, GAAF occupied a University building in protest of the University’s investments in arms companies but the protest was ended under the promise that occupants, students and staff would not face repercussions for their "peaceful protest".

Published 5 January 2025