Activists target University of Glasgow for 'funding genocide' in Palestine

LONDON

Pro-Palestine activists on Thursday sprayed red paint on a University of Glasgow building over direct investments in arms companies "funding and enabling the genocide in Palestine."

Two protesters from the UK-based Youth Demand group used fire extinguishers to spray the James McCune Smith Learning Hub in red paint at around 9.50 a.m. GMT.

❝Our tuition fees are going directly to causing a genocide in Palestine❞

Pro-Palestinian protesters in Ireland covered parts of Glasgow University in red paint over direct investments in arms companies ‘funding and enabling the genocide in Palestine’ https://t.co/ct0ooyaFUV pic.twitter.com/fyvprr10Vs

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 6, 2025

In a statement, the group said they carried out the action to demand the UK government impose a complete trade embargo on Israel, including on arms sales.

It said that in November, the university refused to prohibit its endowment fund managers from investing in companies that earn more than 10% of their income from arms manufacturing.

"The University of Glasgow has £6.8 million ($8.4 million) worth of shareholdings in arms companies such as BAE systems and QinetiQ," said the statement.

Later, the protesters, Hannah Taylor, 24, and Catriona Roberts, 22, who are also students at the university, were arrested by the police.