Chalmers forbids political demonstrations

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg prohibits political demonstrations and posters, writes Göteborgs-Posten.

“Due to the troubled world situation and the strongly polarized social climate, Chalmers has decided not to allow political demonstrations on campus, or in our premises. This is to protect the working environment and safety for our students and employees”.

That’s what Rector Martin Nilsson Jacobi and Chalmers student union president Isabelle Jarl write in a joint statement.

The background is the recent calls and demonstrations at universities in Gothenburg. Among other things, students have demanded a boycott of Israeli universities in protest against the war in Gaza and taking a stand for the Palestinians.

The rector and union president further write that freedom of expression is a “lifeblood” and a “necessary prerequisite” for a university.

“But in order to secure the university as a place for the exchange of ideas, where there really is room for different perspectives, opinions and nuances, the university must take responsibility for the forms of this exchange – we must create rules of the game that allow the exchange to take place in a peaceful and open manner .”