Student hunger strike continues, say activists

Student Palestine activists say their hunger strike has continued following the end of the Charles Wilson Building occupation last week. 

Activists associated with Glasgow University Justice for Palestine (GUJPS) said they have “not received a single response from management” in regards to their hunger strike in protest of the University’s investment policy.

Taking to Instagram yesterday, a post on GUJPS’ account showed a group of masked activists standing in-front of the University’s main gate, with one saying: “Today is day four of our student hunger strike at the University of Glasgow which demands urgent divestment from arms and a Court call for an emergency meeting to vote to immediately and unconditionally divest from arms companies.”

It is unclear how many students are currently involved in the hunger strike. During the occupation of the Charles Wilson Building last Wednesday, three students said they had begun a hunger strike, with four more saying they had joined the following day. Despite this, only six activists appeared in the video.

GUJPS claim they have not “not received any form of medical support” from the University, saying: “The negligence and lack of response from management to both the hunger strike and our demands emphasises the apathy they have towards their students for a university which prides itself in taking such good care of their students, they should be ashamed of themselves. 

“Their students are putting their lives on the line; how dare you sit idly by while your students are putting their lives and their health on the line? Our motivation is not diminished, how dare you continue to turn a blind eye to the genocide that you are complicit in?”

However, the University disputes this, with a spokesperson telling Hillhead Review: "The University has been in contact with GUJPS on numerous occasions and has specifically offered assistance and support to those saying they are on hunger strike."

Today, graffiti was seen on the main door to the Charles Wilson Building reading only the word: "divest". The building has become a target for activism since Michael Gove was invited to speak at an event there in January, a decision that one protester branded "disgusting".

GUJPS claim that the University holds £6.8 million of investments in arms companies, Hillhead Review understands that this figure is based on the University’s 2023 list of endowment fund  investments. The University’s 2024 figures were belatedly released last month following a Freedom of Information request from Hillhead Review.

GUJPS has been contacted for comment.

Published 23 March 2025