CW: Contains quotations with strong racist language.
Policing at pro-Palestine protests in Aberdeen appears to have increased, as activists employ new tactics to pressure the boycott targets of Barclays Bank and Marks & Spencer (M&S).
The Gaudie is aware of two incidents of Police Scotland arresting pro-Palestine protesters in the past 3 months.
Meanwhile, the University of Aberdeen rejected requests to divest from the arms industry or from companies operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The University has also announced scholarships for Gazans and is preparing for a citizen’s assembly discussing “How Can the University Respond to International Conflict?” on February 14th.
In January, a Palestinian resident of Aberdeen was arrested after a scuffle with a man who acted aggressively towards protesters. According to eyewitness Ayah, the Palestine Solidarity Society (PSS) President, the annoyed man appeared to be the father of a teenage busker who frequently sings near the protest site. The activists had met for a weekly demonstration outside Barclays Bank, who have targeted for funding the military and other fossil fuel industries. Seemingly agitated by the proximity of protesters, the man allegedly pushed a protester – a Muslim woman – and allegedly shouted to “get away from my speaker.”
Upon hearing the commotion, protester Baha’a, a Palestinian man and long-term resident of Aberdeen, pushed the man away from the woman – an account which he confirmed to The Gaudie. He was then targeted with racist slurs; the aggressor allegedly used the words “terrorist” and “chocolate” to attack Baha’a. This prompted Baha’a to again push away the aggressor, he told us. The police approached Baha’a at the protest and took down his details. Later the same day, he was arrested at his home.
After the PSS issued a social media callout pleading for “comrades” to gather outside Kittybrewster Police Station, Baha’a was released. Later, the woman who had been pushed told police that Baha’a had been protecting her from assault. She was later told that police had arrested the alleged perpetrator, and he was “charged with assault and racist abuse.”
Baha’a told us he was scared, having lived in Aberdeen 20 years and “never so much as getting a parking ticket,” and felt he was harshly treated by police.
When asked whether she noticed changes to Police Scotland’s approach towards policing of demonstrations, PSS President Ayah reported escalations of policing in recent months:
“We cannot be ourselves, they’re policing us very hard…[…] After the ceasefire they thought we’d be quiet, but we got louder.”
Another protester was arrested after a Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) action inside Bon Accord Marks & Spencer in December. At least four individuals held up banners urging customers to boycott the brand, since M&S sells Israeli goods. Some also collected Israeli-origin goods in a trolley and labelled the goods with stickers. One arrested activist spoke to The Gaudie under anonymity to share their experiences.
When attempting to stop the group’s efforts to communicate that “genocide doesn’t stop at Christmas,” M&S staff and customers responded “aggressively,” adding that a staff member “quite viciously pushed and manhandled the protesters.”
They continued: “The manager tried to grab the girl recording photos and videos.” Allegedly, the manager pressured protesters to delete videos and photos before leaving the store. The police were called due to this incident. Upon their arrival, a police person allegedly promised that if they leave immediately, they will not face further issues.
“After the protesters had already decided to leave the inside of the M&S store, the police tried to make a display of us leaving.”
The activist then attempted to walk away before being arrested and put in handcuffs, with some bystanders clapping.
“A woman tried to put in a complaint because of the assault by the member M&S staff, but the police officer refused to let her put in a complaint.”
Police Scotland declined to comment, telling The Gaudie they don’t communicate with student publications. Marks & Spencer and Bon Accord did not respond for comment.
According to the University’s web page on international conflict, requests to divest University funds from arms companies and companies operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories have been rejected, citing “pooled funds” as an obstacle preventing divestment.
The University of Aberdeen has also put up scholarships and fellowships for displaced students, including the Undergraduate At-Risk Scholarship and At-Risk Postgraduate Fellowships, which offer financial support for tuition, accommodation, and living costs. These schemes aim to assist students fleeing conflict, with eligibility for those seeking sanctuary in the UK.
The citizen’s assembly “How Can the University Respond to International Conflict?” was a key promise to the student encampment before they vacated Elphinstone Lawn to make space for summer graduations.
PSS encouraged its supporters to sign up, while others have expressed concern that the vague wording of the assembly sets it up to exclude discussions on Palestine or genocide.
In an ‘unlisted’ YouTube video accessible through the webpage, the University’s Deputy Director of People Nick Edwards said the assembly aimed “to come to a shared ground to shape future approaches under a common goal.” Vice Principal Jo-Anne Murray added that 80 participants will have been chosen to “get as wide representation as possible.”
Originally scheduled for 2024, the University postponed the event by several months.