Northern Ireland

#OccupyQUB: Students stage solidarity demo in fossil fuel protest

About 15 students have been occupying part of the university's administration building for the past four days
About 15 students have been occupying part of the university's administration building for the past four days About 15 students have been occupying part of the university's administration building for the past four days
By Simon Doyle

Students have staged a demonstration in solidarity with a group occupying part of Queen's University in protest over its investment in companies which produce fossil fuels.

Dozens yesterday protested in the `quad' where they were joined by political representatives.

About 15 students have been occupying part of the university's administration building for the past four days. The Fossil Free QUB group claims it will "indefinitely" occupy the floor.

Green Party deputy leader Clare Bailey, who addressed yesterday's protest, said it was "one of the most admirable campaigns from QUB students in a long time".

"The university needs to listen to the demands of the campaign," she said.

"Academic research shows that we need to divest from fossil fuels. If QUB wants their academics to be taken seriously, they themselves must act on their findings."

Sinn Féin assembly member Chris Hazzard also addressed students yesterday.

"In a week in which every country on the planet have agreed in Paris to a reduction in fossil fuels it is imperative QUB also make a statement on its plans for fossil fuel divestment," he said.

"This campaign has been given a decisive mandate from staff and students as well as support from trade unions, charities, NGOs, community groups and political parties across the spectrum. The university should review their investment policy immediately."