In a video shared on Instagram by Maastricht Encampment – the group that set up camp at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) in May and briefly occupied the building – you can see how a few people take to the stage in Rebelle and unfold a banner: ‘No gala during genocide’. In a second video fragment, one of the security guards leads a demonstrator out while it appears as if he holds a balled fist on her breast.
“Disgusting” and “humiliating and physically violent behaviour” towards the demonstrating students, say Maastricht Encampment, for which UM “should be held responsible”. However, UM did not hire the security guards: it was Rebelle who did that, confirms Paul Jansen from Limburg Beveiliging, who is audibly upset with the matter. He spoke to the guard concerned, whom he describes as a young trainee who did not hold the demonstrator properly due to inexperience. “Although that remains to be seen. It was at any rate never his intention to exhibit wrong behaviour,” says Jansen. Besides, the video does not provide conclusive evidence. “I also see that the female demonstrator is holding his hand.” Jansen would be happy with further clarification. Limburg Beveiliging has not received any complaint, and as far as he knows, the police haven’t either.
Rude remarks
It is not the first time that pro-Palestinian demonstrators and security guards clash in Maastricht. At FASoS, complaints were received about rude remarks made by security guards from an external company. Those were apparently made during the encampment. Students and employees were only allowed entrance into the FASoS building if they could produce their UM cards. While these were being checked, racist remarks were allegedly made. Dean Christine Neuhold said this during the latest meeting of the faculty council, at the end of May, after questions from council members.
According to Neuhold, they immediately contacted the company. “Which subsequently replaced a number of security guards.” According to council members, there were also rumours in the faculty of sexual intimidation. Neuhold replied that no such complaints had been received, “but I am shocked to hear this”. The faculty board urged students and employees to report complaints to the university, for example to the Social Safety Team.
Peter Doorakkers and Dennis Vaendel