UCL statement: protest at UCLU event

UCL and UCLU do not condone acts of intimidation or violence under any circumstances and, as a university with a longstanding radical history, we fiercely support the right to exercise free speech within the law. The freedom to debate and challenge views is fundamental to the nature of a university. We also acknowledge the right to peaceful protest. On 27 October, we did all we could to ensure that the UCLU Friends of Israel Society event could go ahead at UCL, working with our Security team and the Metropolitan police. It was widely advertised and open to the public, and as result a small but noisy group of protesters attended and occupied the rooms where the event was originally meant to take place. UCL Security found an alternative location and ensured the event went ahead safely. We regret protestors took measures to try to prevent the event from happening but stress that the protest was non-violent.