French police disperse Pro-Palestine student protest

French police have disbanded a student protest at Sorbonne University in Paris, where demonstrators demanded an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza

French police intervened on Monday to disband a student protest at the Sorbonne University in Paris, where demonstrators were demanding an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, according to a journalist on the scene.

Law enforcement officers evacuated dozens of protesters who had set up tents inside the university premises. The protest, organized by students, aimed to express solidarity with Palestinians amid escalating violence in the region.

“We were around 50 people when law enforcement forces came running into the courtyard,” said Remi, a 20-year-old history and geography student who participated in the sit-in.

“The evacuation was quite brutal with around 10 people dragged on the ground but no arrests,” he added, withholding his surname for fear of reprisals.

Reports indicate that the demonstrators had erected between 12 and 20 tents in the university’s courtyard and hallway, leading to the cancellation of exams scheduled for the day. As a result, the university announced its closure for the remainder of the day, with no access permitted since noon.

Outside the campus, approximately 150 people joined the protest, chanting slogans in support of Gaza and denouncing Israeli actions. Some waved a large Palestinian flag, while others shouted, “Israel murderer.”

“We’re here following the call from students at Harvard and Columbia,” said Lorelia Frejo, a Sorbonne student and activist, referencing similar pro-Palestinian sit-ins in the United States.

This demonstration at the Sorbonne follows a series of similar protests at Sciences Po Paris, another prestigious university in France. A week prior, police had dispersed a protest at Sciences Po, but demonstrators continued their sit-in until university management agreed to initiate internal discussions on the right to protest.

Source: AFP