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North Wales Live
5 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Woman's legal claim after ‘genocide' pillowcase protest in North Wales
A former Bangor University student is taking legal action following a dramatic protest she made at her graduation. Aishah AlBader claimed her right to freedom of expression was denied when she was dragged off stage for making a Palestine protest. The Kuwaiti national has taken the first step in civil proceedings against the Gwynedd university under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). She is alleging assault/battery, false imprisonment and violating freedom of expression. In a 20-page letter sent to Bangor University, Aishah claimed she was forcibly removed from the stage by security guards when she tried to peacefully protest. 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.' She undertook the protest as a gesture against Bangor University's investments in companies she claimed were 'complicit in human rights violations against Palestinians and the unlawful occupation of Palestine'. The university said it has an ethical approach to investments and is currently reviewing its policy. Aishah said she could not accept my degree 'in silence', adding: '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." She continued: "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.' Aishah has hired London legal firm Gold Jennings to represent her. Her lawyers, Alexander Hogg and Jessica Harrison, said their client had intended to peacefully protest at the graduation ceremony. 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.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Protest camps During the last academic year, protest groups staged encampments and occupations at universities across the UK, including Bangor and Cardiff. A Palestine protest camp was set up on university land outside the Pontio building in Bangor in May 2024. It lasted a year before the university issued an eviction notice in May this year, followed by a possession order in June. The 'notice to vacate' was handed to the protestors. But when the deadline to vacate passed without compliance, the university said it 'made the difficult decision' to seek a 'possession order' through the courts. This 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.' A statement on the university's website, posted in May 2024 and still there, sets out the institution's 'ethical and sustainable' investments policy. It says: '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.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Student who made genocide claim in pillowcase protest at graduation launches legal battle
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. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. (Image: Aishah AlBader ) Article continues below 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. Article continues below
Middle East Eye
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Kuwaiti student sues Bangor University after being 'dragged' off stage for pro-Palestine protest
A Kuwait student is suing her former UK university for violating her free speech after it prevented her from peacefully protesting the institution's investments in Israel during her graduation ceremony. Aishah AlBader has filed a legal claim against Bangor University in Wales for assault, battery, false imprisonment and breach of her human rights. The claim stems from an incident that took place during her graduation ceremony last year. AlBader planned to walk across the stage as she graduated with a pillowcase bearing the message "Bangor University invests in genocide". But AlBader, who was part of a local student group that campaigned for Bangor University to divest from companies complicit in possible Israeli war crimes, was stopped by four security guards who dragged her off the stage before removing her from the building. Multiple videos of the incident that gained more than 150,000 views showed several security guards dragging AlBader off the graduation stage from behind in front of hundreds of people. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The incident, AlBader said, left her physically wounded and embarrassed. She is now launching her case against Bangor University in the hope that it will stop other students attending British universities from being punished for speaking out "against injustices across the globe and in Palestine". "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," AlBader said in a statement through her lawyers. 'I held up a pillowcase reading 'Bangor University invests in genocide'...I was dragged off stage, injured, and humiliated' - Aishah AlBader "I held up a pillowcase reading 'Bangor University invests in genocide'...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." Right to protest As part of the claim, AlBader's lawyers sent a 20-page letter to Bangor University detailing how she was forcibly removed from the stage by security guards when she attempted to protest the institution's investment portfolio peacefully. Alexander Hogg, a solicitor representing AlBader, also criticised Bangor University for its actions and described his client as taking a "brave" decision to hold the Welsh university to account. "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," said Hogg. UAE deported student who wore Palestinian keffiyeh at graduation ceremony Read More » "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." Following Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, UK campuses have been set alight with campaigns targeting universities' investments with companies suspected of being complicit with Israeli war crimes. Last year, several UK university protest groups launched encampments and occupations aimed at pressuring their institution to divest from Israeli companies and other companies suspected of being complicit in Israeli war crimes and end partnerships with Israeli institutions. These encampments led 28 universities to launch disciplinary action against pro-Palestine activists on campus since October 2023, with some, according to an investigation by human rights group Liberty, collaborating with private surveillance firms to spy on their students. Students at Bangor University also held an encampment for approximately 400 days, before the university issued a 250-page eviction notice against them.
