The blockade of Atlas on Tuesday, 24 June. Photo Resource Pro-Palestine activists occupy the entrances to Atlas for the second time in a week. Just like last Thursday, they are blocking access via the main and side entrances.
This story is updated throughout the day. Scroll down for the latest updates.
There are fences in front of the main entrance, and activists are sitting on the ground near the bicycle shed. They are trying to persuade employees to work somewhere other than Atlas.
‘Since the board of directors still refuses to take action, Wageningen for Palestine is blocking the main entrances to the Atlas building on the Wageningen campus, where the university administration is located, for the second time in a week,’ the activists say. Their demands remain unchanged.
On Tuesday, employees will be able to enter the building via the bicycle cellar. The blockade with beams that the activists had erected earlier in the morning has been removed by university security, spokesperson Mat said. The activists have therefore opted for an alternative blockade: a handful of activists are sitting on the ground in front of the entrance door. They are preventing people from riding their bicycles through, but are not physically stopping anyone from entering Atlas. They are trying to convince employees that they can put pressure on the board of directors and are asking them to work elsewhere today. This is only partially successful, says Mat. ‘People often take the time to listen to us and sometimes show understanding. Many step over us, but some do indeed go to work elsewhere.’
However, the bicycle cellar remains as busy as ever.
‘We will not tolerate business as usual as long as the board evades its responsibility and ignores the demands of the academic community,’ the action group said in their statement. They indicate that they will continue to disrupt daily activities at the university until the board seriously addresses their demands.
The activists want to engage in dialogue with the board of directors in a public setting, provided that the dialogue concerns the substance of their protest and not just its form. Spokesperson Mat: ‘The choice is up to the board: take responsibility or face the consequences.’
The university informed employees through a short message on the intranet that Atlas is accessible. ‘If you are coming to Atlas, please use the entrance to the bicycle cellar. There are protesters on the footbridge to Atlas. Activities in Atlas will continue as usual; access is not blocked.’
UPDATE 2:30 p.m.
Flyers
A little before 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, some activists manage to enter Atlas through the bicycle cellar. They throw flyers down from the walkways across the atrium and shout “Free Palestine” several times. Then they go out again on their own.
The moment security realizes that activists are slipping in with employees, they temporarily don’t let anyone out.
The activists clear their blockade again around 2:30 p.m.
