The facade of the University of Groningen’s Academy Building was defaced with pro-Palestine slogans early on Saturday morning.
Pictures published by local media outlets showed graffiti reading “Free Gaza”, “RUG supports genocide”, and other similar slogans. By the time The Northern Times visited the site shortly after 13:00, workers had already removed the majority of the red paint using high-pressure water jets. The incident coincided with the RUG’s open day event which went ahead as planned.
RUG spokesperson Elies Kouwenhoven described the incident to RTV Noord as “pure vandalism”. She added that while the RUG finds what’s happening in Gaza “horrible” she said that spraying graffiti on university property was not the solution. Kouwenhoven said that they did not know who was responsible for the graffiti but explained that a police report has been filed.
On social media reactions to the graffiti from people were mixed. While some argued such actions did not help the situation people in Gaza are experiencing others said that spraying temporary paint was a very mild action compared to the constant barrage of bombs and bullets Palestinians currently face.
In March the RUG was accused of censorship after it stopped a pro-Palestinian group from screening a movie. The university claimed the association was not a student organisation and that it wanted to invite non-students to the screening.
Photos: The Northern Times
