Pro-Palestine protesters have spent the night locked in a University of Melbourne hall, leading to a second day of cancelled classes. The group took over the Arts West building on Wednesday, dubbing it “Mahmoud’s Hall” in honour of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a young Palestinian man killed in the Gaza war who was meant to start his studies at the university. The activity was determined to have breached university policy and those in attendance were asked to vacate the area by 2.
It advised that classes in the building were cancelled for Thursday and alternative arrangements would be made. At Monash University, student protesters there said nine organisers had been accused of misconduct and threatened with suspension or expulsion. The students say the misconduct allegations relate to non-violently defending the pro-Palestine encampment against pro-Israel activists. Monash University has been contacted for comment.