Glasgow arts centre 'deeply sorry' for handling of Palestine protest
Protesters had planned to take over the building for five days, hosting events, workshops and screenings exploring 'the complicity of Scotland's cultural institutions' in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
However, the CCA announced a temporary closure after the first day of the takeover led to the arrest of a 63-year-old woman and an injury to one individual. The centre has remained closed, though officials have now said they are 'deeply sorry' for how the incident was handled.
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Police vans outside of CCA on June 24 (Image: NQ) A statement shared on the venue's website reads: 'CCA Glasgow acknowledges the disruption, confusion and harm experienced over recent weeks, particularly by our community, artists, staff, tenants and partners.
'We sincerely regret the outcome of our decisions on June 24 and that an individual was injured. We recognise that a lack of clarity on our choices had real human consequences, and for this we are deeply sorry.
'We apologise for the delay in external communications, as we focused first on internal dialogue so that we could provide clear and considered information when speaking publicly.
'We are listening and know that trust cannot be repaired with words alone, but through consistent, honest, and long-term work.'
Following on from the prolonged closure, CCA have said they are 'accelerating' plans for leadership changes within the institution.
A new finance manager is set to be appointed this month and once the current chair's term ends in October, the venue will seek a 'new permanent leadership for CCA'.
New board members are also set to be recruited, with 'an aim to widen the scope of experience, background, and representation, including global majority voices'.
Amidst the centre's closure, an independent bookshop housed within the premises has been 'asked to leave' after 17 years.
Aye Aye Books – whose aim is to think about the world we live in, how it works, what powers it, who runs it, and how we might need to respond to that – was asked to relocate by the centre.
In an email from CCA shared by owner Martin Vincent, the centre said that whilst it undertakes discussions with funding sources to work towards reopening, 'it is probably sensible to accept that this period of closure marks the end of CCA's relationship with Aye Aye Books'.
Almost two months after the protest, the institution has decided to reverse its decision on stance on supporting PACBI measures, noting the 'urgency' of calls to endorse the movement.
The CCA will reopen 'without formal endorsement', but said it is working towards 'adopting an ethical fundraising and programming policy'.
'We condemn the violence of the Israeli state, the ongoing occupation, genocide, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza', the statement continues.
'We stand firmly against all forms of oppression and in support of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.
"We respect the calls for CCA to endorse PACBI (the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel).
'We are grateful to those who have challenged us and held us to account and have clearly and powerfully expressed the need for cultural institutions to take a stand.'
A provisional re-opening date has been set for August 25.
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Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow arts centre 'deeply sorry' for handling of Palestine protest
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow has been closed since Art Workers for Palestine Scotland occupied the building on June 24 over the centre's refusal to adopt a Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or support the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). Protesters had planned to take over the building for five days, hosting events, workshops and screenings exploring 'the complicity of Scotland's cultural institutions' in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. However, the CCA announced a temporary closure after the first day of the takeover led to the arrest of a 63-year-old woman and an injury to one individual. The centre has remained closed, though officials have now said they are 'deeply sorry' for how the incident was handled. READ NEXT: Glasgow DJ at risk of 'far-right repression' launches fundraiser to stay in Scotland READ NEXT: Racist teen thug terrorised East End neighbours during 11-month crime spree Police vans outside of CCA on June 24 (Image: NQ) A statement shared on the venue's website reads: 'CCA Glasgow acknowledges the disruption, confusion and harm experienced over recent weeks, particularly by our community, artists, staff, tenants and partners. 'We sincerely regret the outcome of our decisions on June 24 and that an individual was injured. We recognise that a lack of clarity on our choices had real human consequences, and for this we are deeply sorry. 'We apologise for the delay in external communications, as we focused first on internal dialogue so that we could provide clear and considered information when speaking publicly. 'We are listening and know that trust cannot be repaired with words alone, but through consistent, honest, and long-term work.' Following on from the prolonged closure, CCA have said they are 'accelerating' plans for leadership changes within the institution. A new finance manager is set to be appointed this month and once the current chair's term ends in October, the venue will seek a 'new permanent leadership for CCA'. New board members are also set to be recruited, with 'an aim to widen the scope of experience, background, and representation, including global majority voices'. Amidst the centre's closure, an independent bookshop housed within the premises has been 'asked to leave' after 17 years. Aye Aye Books – whose aim is to think about the world we live in, how it works, what powers it, who runs it, and how we might need to respond to that – was asked to relocate by the centre. In an email from CCA shared by owner Martin Vincent, the centre said that whilst it undertakes discussions with funding sources to work towards reopening, 'it is probably sensible to accept that this period of closure marks the end of CCA's relationship with Aye Aye Books'. Almost two months after the protest, the institution has decided to reverse its decision on stance on supporting PACBI measures, noting the 'urgency' of calls to endorse the movement. The CCA will reopen 'without formal endorsement', but said it is working towards 'adopting an ethical fundraising and programming policy'. 'We condemn the violence of the Israeli state, the ongoing occupation, genocide, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza', the statement continues. 'We stand firmly against all forms of oppression and in support of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. "We respect the calls for CCA to endorse PACBI (the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel). 'We are grateful to those who have challenged us and held us to account and have clearly and powerfully expressed the need for cultural institutions to take a stand.' A provisional re-opening date has been set for August 25.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Glasgow arts centre 'deeply sorry' for handling of Palestine protest
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow has been closed since Art Workers for Palestine Scotland occupied the building on June 24 over the centre's refusal to adopt a Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or support the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). Protesters had planned to take over the building for five days, hosting events, workshops and screenings exploring 'the complicity of Scotland's cultural institutions' in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. READ MORE: 'America could stop this horror today': Protesters to welcome JD Vance to Scotland However, the CCA announced a temporary closure after the first day of the takeover led to the arrest of a 63-year-old woman and an injury to one individual. The centre has remained closed, though officials have now said they are 'deeply sorry' for how the incident was handled. Police vans outside of CCA on June 24 (Image: NQ) A statement shared on the venue's website reads: 'CCA Glasgow acknowledges the disruption, confusion and harm experienced over recent weeks, particularly by our community, artists, staff, tenants and partners. 'We sincerely regret the outcome of our decisions on June 24 and that an individual was injured. We recognise that a lack of clarity on our choices had real human consequences, and for this we are deeply sorry. 'We apologise for the delay in external communications, as we focused first on internal dialogue so that we could provide clear and considered information when speaking publicly. 'We are listening and know that trust cannot be repaired with words alone, but through consistent, honest, and long-term work.' Following on from the prolonged closure, CCA have said they are 'accelerating' plans for leadership changes within the institution. A new finance manager is set to be appointed this month and once the current chair's term ends in October, the venue will seek a 'new permanent leadership for CCA'. New board members are also set to be recruited, with 'an aim to widen the scope of experience, background, and representation, including global majority voices'. Amidst the centre's closure, an independent bookshop housed within the premises has been 'asked to leave' after 17 years. Aye Aye Books – whose aim is to think about the world we live in, how it works, what powers it, who runs it, and how we might need to respond to that – was asked to relocate by the centre. In an email from CCA shared by owner Martin Vincent, the centre said that whilst it undertakes discussions with funding sources to work towards reopening, 'it is probably sensible to accept that this period of closure marks the end of CCA's relationship with Aye Aye Books'. Almost two months after the protest, the institution has decided to reverse its decision on stance on supporting PACBI measures, noting the 'urgency' of calls to endorse the movement. The CCA will reopen 'without formal endorsement', but said it is working towards 'adopting an ethical fundraising and programming policy'. READ MORE: Row as gender-critical book excluded from National Library exhibition 'We condemn the violence of the Israeli state, the ongoing occupation, genocide, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza', the statement continues. 'We stand firmly against all forms of oppression and in support of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. "We respect the calls for CCA to endorse PACBI (the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel). 'We are grateful to those who have challenged us and held us to account and have clearly and powerfully expressed the need for cultural institutions to take a stand.' A provisional re-opening date has been set for August 25.
STV News
a day ago
- STV News
CCA apologises for handling of pro-Palestinian protests after two-month closure
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow has apologised for its response to protests by pro-Palestinian activists and announced changes to its board. The institute on Sauchiehall Street has been closed since June 24, when Art Workers for Palestine Scotland began a week-long demonstration occupying the building's public courtyard. The group planned to stage events in the 'liberated zone', including workshops, screenings and discussions that centred on Palestinian liberation and 'interrogate the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions in the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. The action was announced in response to the CCA's Board's refusal to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Police were called to the CCA building after activists began their takeover, resulting in a 63-year-old woman being arrested and injured. Nearly 50 days on, the CCA has said it 'sincerely regrets' the outcome of its decision on June 24 and that an individual was injured. STV News Art Workers for Palestine Scotland action at CCA In a statement, it acknowledged the 'disruption, confusion and harm experienced over recent weeks, particularly by our community, artists, staff, tenants and partners'. 'We recognise that a lack of clarity on our choices had real human consequences, and for this we are deeply sorry', the statement adds. The centre said it is 'committed to meaningful engagement first within the organisation, and then with all those we work with and serve'. It goes on: 'We are listening and know that trust cannot be repaired with words alone, but through consistent, honest, and long-term work. 'We are working to refresh our processes to ensure leadership reflects our principles, to amplify staff voices and to meet the changing needs of CCA. 'Through this, we remain committed to meaningful engagement first within the organisation, and then with all those we work with and serve. 'This includes constructive dialogue with those who have raised concerns. Reopening will require a collective effort across our entire community. We now ask for your support and patience as we undertake this process of reflection and repair.' Following the closure, plans to change the Board membership are set to be accelerated. New members, including a finance minister, will be recruited, and the current chair will finish her term in October. The new leadership is set to revisit the decision not to endorse PACBI, with the centre saying it 'respects the calls for CCA to endorse PACBI' and is 'grateful to those who have challenged us and held us to account and have clearly and powerfully expressed the need for cultural institutions to take a stand'. 'We condemn the violence of the Israeli state, the ongoing occupation, genocide, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza', the statement adds. 'We stand firmly against all forms of oppression and in support of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.' The CCA said it is working towards reopening on August 25, following a period of work with artists and communities to rebuild trust. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland described the statement as a 'moment of real institutional change and real decolonisation'. Commenting, the group said: 'It is huge win for pro-Palestinian campaigners, organisers, staff, artists and members of the CCA's community, and shows us how we can use our collective power to successfully demand that arts organisations represent the views of the people who constitute them, and stand in unequivocal solidarity with Palestine and against the genocidal settler-colonial state. 'We will now hold CCA to account and ensure that a formal endorsement of PACBI, the cultural boycott of Israel, is made as soon as a new board is in place.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
