Latest news with #ArtWorkersforPalestineScotland
STV News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
CCA closes amid planned takeover by pro-Palestinian activists
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow has temporarily closed in response to protests planned by pro-Palestine activists. The board announced on Wednesday that it had made the decision to keep the building on Sauchiehall Street closed for the rest of the week. It comes after Art Workers for Palestine Scotland shared plans to occupy the public courtyard as part of a week-long programme of action. The campaign group said it would stage an events programme in the 'liberated zone', including workshops, screenings and discussions that centre Palestinian liberation and 'interrogate the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions in the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. The action was announced in response to the CCA's Board's refusal to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). STV News Art Workers for Palestine Scotland action at CCA The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Activists began their takeover on Tuesday, resulting in police being called and a 63-year-old woman being arrested. The CCA Board said the decision had been taken to close the building temporarily to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of staff and partners and 'create space for reflection'. A statement issued on social media said: 'In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we've made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week. 'This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection. 'We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully. 'We will be sharing further updates in the coming days.' In response, AW4P accused the CCA of choosing 'complicity' and called for the resignations of board member Roddy Hunter and chair of the board Jean Cameron. 'GSA Pal Soc are disgusted by the actions of the CCA and its board that took place yesterday, during a public programme of events centered around resistance, learning and artistic solidarity organised by Art Workers for Palestine', the group said in a statement. 'CCA used internal security, then called police who violently escalated the situation and brutally arrested a member of the public. It is completely shameful and abhorrent to enact fascist state violence against members of their local community who refuse to stay silent in the face of genocide.' STV News Art Workers for Palestine Scotland action at CCA A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 12.55pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, we received a report of a disturbance involving a large group on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. 'Officers attended and engaged with those present. The group later dispersed. 'A 63-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection, and is expected to appear at court at a later date.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow was taken over by campaigners from Art Workers for Palestine Scotland on Tuesday. People could be seen sat outside the building blocking the entrance, while traffic was temporarily unable to pass through the area. (Image: NQ) Police confirmed a 63-year-old woman had been arrested, while the details of other participants were taken down by officers as they left the scene. The group had planned to takeover the building from Tuesday until Saturday in protest over the CCA board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The sit-in was set to feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate "the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions" in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. On Wednesday, however, the CCA said it would be temporarily closing for the rest of the week, citing "recent events and ongoing conversations" involving the centre. READ MORE: UK Culture Secretary: BBC should not show Kneecap's Glastonbury set In a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday, the CCA said: "In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we've made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week. "This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection. "We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully. "We will be sharing further updates in the coming days. Thank you for your support, and for your patience." Following Tuesday's protest, police confirmed to The National that a criminal investigation was underway linked to licencing laws.
The National
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Pro-Palestine takeover to protest Scottish arts centre policy
Organised by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland, the event at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow – running from Tuesday to Saturday – will feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate 'the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions' in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The takeover will be held in the public courtyard in what was described as a response to the CCA board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Earlier this year, an open letter signed by more than 800 artists, workers and audiences urged the CCA to take action to endorse PACBI and align policy with its public values, but the board has reportedly refused. READ MORE: What happens if Palestine Action is banned under terrorism laws? A spokesperson for Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'The board's decision not to endorse PACBI reveals a disturbing trend of institutional complicity. 'We cannot stand by as our cultural spaces are used to sanitise genocide. This takeover is a community-led act of transformation reclaiming CCA as a space of justice, resistance and Palestinian cultural life. 'We are here to show the depth and breadth of solidarity with Palestine in Glasgow and beyond. Through this takeover, we centre Palestinian voices and culture while holding our institutions to account. 'Another CCA is possible and urgently necessary.' The CCA has been approached for comment. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland also recently called out the Glasgow Film Theatre's (GFT) decision not to endorse BDS and PACBI. Glasgow Film said this was in order to retain "independent decision making" and uphold its "commitment to Cinema For All". Three members of the GFT board resigned, raising concerns about the processes leading to the decision. READ MORE: The proscription of Palestine Action has frightening implications Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: "It will go down in history that, given the opportunity to stand with the Palestinian people following months of genocide and starvation at the hands of a colonial oppressor, the GFT chose complicity, cowardice and blatant disregard for human life." Earlier this year, front-of-house and cleaning staff at the GFT staged a boycott on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement, which resulted in Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the BDS movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 people and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, the rector of the University of Glasgow, and filmmaker Ken Loach.
The National
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Pro-Palestine takeover planned to protest Scottish arts centre policy
Organised by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland, the event at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow – running from Tuesday to Saturday – will feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate 'the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions' in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The takeover will be held in the public courtyard in response to the CCA Board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Earlier this year, an open letter signed by more than 800 artists, workers and audiences who urged the CCA to take action to endorse PACBI and align policy with its public values, but the board has reportedly refused. READ MORE: What happens if Palestine Action is banned under terrorism laws? A spokesperson for Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'The board's decision not to endorse PACBI reveals a disturbing trend of institutional complicity. 'We cannot stand by as our cultural spaces are used to sanitise genocide. This takeover is a community-led act of transformation reclaiming CCA as a space of justice, resistance and Palestinian cultural life. 'We are here to show the depth and breadth of solidarity with Palestine in Glasgow and beyond. Through this takeover, we centre Palestinian voices and culture while holding our institutions to account. 'Another CCA is possible and urgently necessary.' The CCA has been approached for comment. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland also recently called out the Glasgow Film Theatre's (GFT) decision not to endorse BDS and PACBI. Glasgow Film said this was in order to retain "independent decision making" and uphold its "commitment to Cinema For All". Three members of the GFT board resigned, raising concerns about the processes leading to the decision. READ MORE: The proscription of Palestine Action has frightening implications Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: "It will go down in history that, given the opportunity to stand with the Palestinian people following months of genocide and starvation at the hands of a colonial oppressor, the GFT chose complicity, cowardice and blatant disregard for human life." Earlier this year, front-of-house and cleaning staff at the GFT staged a boycott on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement, which resulted in Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the BDS movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 people and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, rector of the University of Glasgow and filmmaker Ken Loach.
