Over 60 Trinity students so far have begun camping outside the Book of Kells to protest the college’s ties with Israeli institutions.
Setting up at 8.30pm last night, there are over 40 tents on the green outside the Old Library where the Book is kept, which has been blockaded by wooden benches overnight.
The protestors plan to remain camped and blocking the Book of Kells until Trinity agrees to cut its ties with Israeli institutions such as Tel Aviv University and three institutions blacklisted by the United Nations.
They are also calling on Trinity to “make an unequivocal statement of solidarity condemning the ongoing genocide” in Palestine.
Protestors have also demanded the college support “100 Palestinian scholars to undertake their studies at college” as reparations.
? Trinity students begin encampment outside Book of Kells.@tcdsu and @TrinityBDS plan to stay here until Trinity cuts ties with Israeli institutions. pic.twitter.com/FdE8T4Rlw0
— ellen (@ellenfkenny) May 3, 2024
This encampment in Trinity mirrors similar demonstrations in the past few weeks, particularly in Columbia University in the US where hundreds of student protestors have been arrested.
Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) President László Molnárfi said the union is not “intimidated” by past and potential “threats” from Trinity.
“Despite threats and despite intimidation, and despite suppression of our movement – we’ve been intimidated, we’ve been hit with a 0.2 million fine – despite all of this, we came back even stronger and we’re escalating our actions,” he said.
“This movement is part of a worldwide movement - we see encampments in the UK, we see it in France, we see it in the US and now in Ireland, and hopefully it spreads like a wildfire.”
Mr Molnárfi said student union members have previously met with college management to discuss their demands but were rejected.
“We have hit Trinity with petitions, open letters, meetings with university officials, and when these went ignored, we escalated,” he said.
40 tents set up at Trinity outside the Book of Kells as protestors settle into their first night of encampment @Trinity_News pic.twitter.com/acIqLZOmiw
— ellen (@ellenfkenny) May 4, 2024
Trinity has said it is “monitoring the situation closely”, while the Book of Kells will be closed today and those who booked tickets will be refunded.
“While Trinity supports students’ right to protest, protests must be conducted within the rules of the university,” it said.
“As custodians of the Book of Kells, Trinity has an obligation to protect this national treasure at all times.
“The closure of the Old Library impacts on researchers, whether they are students, staff or visiting international researchers.
“It also impacts on the staff working there, many of whom are students themselves.”
Access to campus today is restricted to students, staff, residents and sports department members who have a college ID.
Main image: Benches set up by student protestors to block entrance to the Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin. Image: Ellen Kenny
