Last Wednesday, the pro-Palestine encampment on a small square in front of a Groningen University (RUG) building in Groningen was cleared by police officers and municipal services (JURIST). The protesters, who had planned to end the camp in the coming days, dispersed after being alerted to a substantial police presence nearby. The encampment’s remains, including camping gear, books, and artworks, were collected by municipal garbage trucks.
Despite the camp’s clearance, the activists continued their efforts. A protest march took place that afternoon in Groningen’s city center, concluded with a group of activists occupying a university building for several hours. They displayed a banner accusing RUG of genocide, prompting a response from police in riot gear, who eventually used force to evict the protesters after covering the building’s windows with blinds.
The events led to allegations of police brutality, with videos circulating on social media showing students being beaten and detained. The Groningen Student Union (GSb) has condemned the police actions as disproportionate and intimidating (UKrant), and multiple protesters are considering legal action. If substantiated, these claims could have serious implications under Dutch procedural law, particularly regarding detainees’ rights and the conditions of their detention.
The University of Groningen’s approach to handling protests seems to conflict with recent higher education institution guidelines in the Netherlands, which advocate for leniency unless severe threats or vandalism occur. The university’s press officer deferred comments to the police and municipal authorities, who are responsible for the enforcement actions.
The conflict has not subsided with the camp’s removal. On Sunday, organizers called for a silent march to honor Gaza’s war victims, during which calls for continued resistance were voiced despite the trauma experienced by many activists. The police intervention appears not to have de-escalated tensions but rather intensified them, leading to ongoing confrontations between the university and pro-Palestine protesters.