Latest news with #Boycotts
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- 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
2 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Student pub still wanted: referendum
A new student pub gets a big tick, but a boycott on products with ties to the Israeli government proved less favourable among the student populace. Those are the results of just two of the many questions the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) asked its members over the past month. The results, which were published this week, could form the basis of student activism over the next year. OUSA president Liam White said he was very pleased with the level of engagement, with about 1900 people responding. "We got more students engaging with our referendum than we did with our executive election. So I can't be too disappointed with that. "I think having close to 2000 students voting is awesome." The referendum asked an array of questions, including "Should OUSA establish student-friendly bars and pubs in North Dunedin" which got a 70% favourable response. Meanwhile, only 53.5% of respondents believed OUSA should adopt a policy for its operations that aligned with the "Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions" movement (BDS) against the government of Israel. The latter question was asked after the OUSA received two formal complaints about its decision to bar Domino's Pizza from "Tent City" during O Week. Mr White said he was not surprised at the support for the student bar. "I don't think that one will go away anytime soon. "We've been talking about this for years, and I think I sat through for about two hours when it came out and read all the student comments and a lot of them were pretty harsh. "But I think it's a fair frustration for the student body that we've been trying to advocate for this for years, come close, then had to step away again, and it just kind of feels like they've gone round in circles on it." Asked about the BDS question, Mr White said the result was "clear as mud" and meant it probably needed to be sent back to the executive. He was more surprised there appeared to be just as much division over whether OUSA should receive alcohol sponsorship. "It's clear that there's not a particularly united front there." There was however "overwhelming support" (68%) to adopt a policy of educating students on affirmative consent. "It seems like the appropriate time for that." Meanwhile, Mr White's attempt to extend the president's reign to two years proved less popular — 62% voted against it. "There were a lot of Trump jokes [in the responses]. I'm not taking it personally."
