On a late-morning sunny May day in central London, students at the Gaza encampment in the grounds of the School of Oriental and African Studies were slowly stirring.
Occupying a small green space between university buildings across from the main entrance, the SOAS encampment comprises some 20 tents.
It’s small but remarkably organized.
At the front is an information desk with leaflets for passersby on the Palestinian struggle, on students’ demands, a schedule of upcoming speakers at the encampment, and so on.
Inside the camp, there are workshops for the students themselves on anything from Palestinian history and anti-colonial studies to self-defense and yoga, as well as specific areas set aside for studying and cooking.
The students there are determined to be in it for the long haul. ….more
