Protestors storm awards ceremony at University of Sheffield shouting 'free Palestine'

The protestors stormed onto the stage at the education awards were set to take place at the University of Sheffield, demanding the institution ‘cuts ties with the arms trade’ as well as universities in Israel. They also demanded the university directs research projects away from arms-related work.

The protestors chanted ‘free Palestine’, ‘this is our university too, we will not be silenced' and we are all Palestinians’.

A number of members of staff joined the protestors on the stage, while the vice-chancellor left the room. Security staff later told some of the guests that the event had been cancelled due to the protest.

One of the speakers during the protest said they had been inspired by similar protests in the US, where police have begun clearing a Pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University in Washington.

Local media had reported that some protesters were pepper sprayed as police stopped them from entering the encampment and nearly 30 people had been arrested, according to community organisers.

A spokeswoman for The University of Sheffield said the protestors briefly disrupted the event – which was cancelled – but left shortly after.

A pro-Palestinian tent encampment was also cleared at the University of Chicago on Tuesday after administrators who had initially adopted a permissive approach said the protest had crossed a line and caused growing concerns about safety.

University president Paul Alivisatos acknowledged the school’s role as a protector of freedom of speech after officers in riot gear blocked access to the school’s Quad but also took an enough-is-enough stance.

Tensions have continued to ratchet up in standoffs with protesters on campuses across the US — and increasingly, in Europe — nearly three weeks into a movement launched by a protest at Columbia University.

Some colleges cracked down immediately on protests against the Israel-Hamas war. Among those that have tolerated the tent encampments, some have begun to lose patience and call in police over concerns about disruptions to campus life, safety and the involvement of nonstudents.

Since April 18, just over 2,600 people have been arrested on 50 campuses, figures based on AP reporting and statements from universities and law enforcement agencies.