Deakin University requests dismantling of pro-Palestine encampment as protesters pledge to stay

Deputy vice-chancellor says Victorian university wants to ensure ‘safety, security and amenity of all campus users’ but protesters say request is ‘Orwellian’

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Deakin University has become the first education institution in Australia to request students dismantle their pro-Palestine encampment, but protestors have vowed they will “not be moved”.

Pro-Palestine camps have spread to universities in every state in Australia after beginning at the University of Sydney almost three weeks ago. Last week, Victoria Police wrote to university vice chancellors requesting greater powers to shut down the encampments, adding that if they were allowed to keep growing there was a “strong likelihood of violence occurring between protest and counter-protest groups”.

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