Student who made genocide claim in pillowcase protest at graduation launches legal battle
Aishah AlBader has taken the first step in civil proceedings against Bangor University for what she claims was assault/battery, false imprisonment, and for violating her right to freedom of expression
Aishah AlBader, a former graduate student at Bangor University has launched legal action against the university
(Image: Aishah AlBader )
A former student who was dragged off stage at her graduation from a Welsh university for making a Palestine protest is taking legal action against it saying it violated her right to freedom of expression.
Aishah AlBader, former graduate student, has taken the first step in civil proceedings against Bangor University for what she claims was assault/battery, false imprisonment, and for violating her right to freedom of expression. The Kuwaiti national has hired London legal firm Gold Jennings to represent her.
Aishah's lawyers Alexander Hogg and Jessica Harrison said the claim arises from her graduation last year when Aishah intended to peacefully protest Bangor University's investments in companies claimed to be "complicit in human rights violations against Palestinians and the unlawful occupation of Palestine".
In a 20-page letter, sent to Bangor University, Aishah says she was forcibly removed from the stage by security guards when she tried to peacefully protest.
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(Image: Aishah AlBader )
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She refused to shake the Vice Chancellor's hand, handing him a leaflet about the university's investments, and walked across the stage with a pillowcase bearing the message 'Bangor University invests in Genocide.'
Aishah said: 'As I walked up to graduate, I could only think of Gaza — of the students who will never get to graduate, whose lives, dreams, and hopes have been destroyed under Israel's ongoing genocide. Tens of thousands have been killed, entire families wiped out, and schools and universities reduced to rubble.
"Knowing that Bangor University continues to invest in companies complicit in this devastation, I felt I could not simply accept my degree in silence. I knew I had to use that platform to centre those oppressed and dehumanised in Palestine. So, I held up a pillowcase reading 'Bangor University invests in genocide'.
"In response, I was dragged off stage, injured, and humiliated. I lost professional opportunities I had worked hard to earn and lived in fear and uncertainty of the future.
"My parents travelled thousands of miles to watch my graduation, and it should have been a moment of joy and pride. I don't believe that holding a pillowcase should ever provoke violence and the pillowcase I held at my graduation revealed a truth that the university is desperate to hide.
"By bringing this case, I hope to affirm that no student should be punished for speaking out against injustices across the globe and in Palestine.'
Her legal team said: "instead of facilitating Ms AlBader's non-disruptive and peaceful protest, around four university security officers forcibly dragged her from the stage before removing her from the building. She sustained physical injuries from the incident.
"Our client was part of the movement on Bangor University's campus to end the university's continued investments in companies on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions list. Her protest was intended to highlight the university's financial ties to firms complicit in what the International Court of Justice found in January 2024 is a plausible genocide in Gaza and the unlawful occupation of Palestine.
"Gold Jennings has been instructed by Ms AlBader to bring a civil claim for assault/battery, false imprisonment, and breach of her rights under Article 8 and 10 ECHR. As things stand, we have sent a letter of claim to Bangor University and are awaiting the university's response."
Alexander Hogg of Gold Jennings said: 'Safeguarding freedom of expression and the right to protest requires upholding them not only when it is convenient but when it is uncomfortable – such as during graduation ceremonies, when principled students draw much needed public attention to universities' unethical investments.
"Moreover, ensuring that universities are held to account when they violate students' right to protest and free speech, such as in the case of my client, not only protects the right to protest and speak out against what is happening in Palestine, it protects the right to protest and speak out on all issues of public importance for everyone.
"My client has taken a brave and first step in holding Bangor University accountable for preventing her from exercising her right to freedom of speech.'
A Bangor University spokesperson said: "We're aware of a claim, as this is an ongoing matter we are unable to comment."
Protest groups staged encampments and occupations at universities across the UK, including Bangor and Cardiff last academic year.
A Palestine protest camp was set up on university land outside the Pontio building in Bangor in May 2024 and lasted a year before the university issued an eviction notice in May this year and then a possession order in June.
The "notice to vacate" was handed to the protestors but as the deadline to vacate passed without compliance, the university said it "made the difficult decision" to seek a "possession order" through the court, which was granted on June 12.
A Bangor University spokesperson said at the time: "This legal action was a necessary step to bring an end to the ongoing disruption to university property and operations. Our priority remains towards ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of our community."
Protesters also occupied a site at Cardiff University's Main Building for 56 days in support of Palestine
(Image: John Myers )
A statement o the university's website, posted in May 2024 and still there, says: "Bangor University has an ethical and sustainable investments policy. The university does not choose individual investments itself but has a framework that our investment managers use to create our portfolio.
"Our policy stipulates that we expect a high level of environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) measures to be in place for any potential investment. The university also screens out potential investments in weapons, armaments, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, adult entertainment and fossil fuel companies.
"Bangor University is currently reviewing this investment policy, with initial discussions having already taken place at the investment committee of which the President of the Bangor University Students' Union is a member.
"The university expects that the policy review will be completed over the summer, and that the revised investment policy will be used as a framework by its investment managers to guide future decisions."
Action was also taken to end a Palestine protest camp at Cardiff University.
Anyone picketing on Cardiff University property risks being jailed following a High Court injunction obtained in response to the now-disbanded Palestine camp outside the main building.
Cardiff University denied it is banning free speech or legitimate protest and said the injunction was needed to keep the campus secure.
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