Protesting student campers at the University of Bristol face eviction
The pro-Palestine protest group are facing legal action from the University.
Students at the University of Bristol who have set up camp at the Royal Fort Gardens are facing eviction.
Tents have been on the campus for two months, in protest of the University of Bristol's links with defence companies involved with the war in Gaza.
The Vice Chancellor has released a statement online, announcing the University's decision to take legal action against the protesters.
The University claims students have been aggressive and abusive, which the students deny.
A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “We support the right to freedom of expression and to engage in lawful, peaceful protest and understand the deeply held concerns that many in our community feel about the situation in Israel-Gaza.
“Since the encampment was set up eight weeks ago, the University has treated those involved with courtesy, dignity and respect.
"Unfortunately, especially during the last few weeks, we have seen actions on campus that fall far short of our behavioural expectations.
“The encampment has become a focal point for some of these unacceptable behaviours, including we believe from people outside of the University.
"Some of this has gone beyond what is an acceptable expression of views, raising significant concerns over the safety of our community and our visitors and interfering with core university business.
"As such we have taken legal action to disperse the encampment.”
But students at the camp insist their protest has always been peaceful.
John has been at the camp since the first week of the encampment two months ago.
"The camp is not this patch of grass and we're not going to stop until the University is completely divested from arms manufacturers.
"We're still going to be here. We're still going to be protesting.
"You look at the history of student protests, this is how change happens.
"I'm optimistic about the future of the movement, I'm optimistic about how this has been a space for community engagement for like-minded people to come together."