On Monday 28 November, an occupation took place in the Sanders Building on campus Woudestein by action group OccupyEUR. The occupation was terminated for security reasons. This involved an external threat, creating a real possibility that the safety of those present on campus could no longer be guaranteed. We would have preferred to enter into dialogue with the protesters, but based on this information, we had to act. Safety comes first.
We emphasise that we consider constant dialogue on sustainability of great importance. As part of our strategy, in which this theme plays a major role, we are actively integrating sustainability in all layers of the organisation.
The Executive Board of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) has invited OccupyEUR to continue the dialogue in private on Thursday afternoon, 1 December 2022.
Occupation and termination
The demonstration by OccupyEUR went off peacefully on Monday. Around 17:00, the Executive Board received an official invitation from OccupyEUR to engage in dialogue later that evening. Chairman of the Executive Board Ed Brinksma: "The intention has always been to engage in dialogue with the protesters. However, during the afternoon we received information about a changing security situation. This threat, which was external, meant that we could no longer ensure safety on campus for our staff, students and the protesters. EUR therefore followed the advice to end the occupation."
Ed Brinksma: "The 60 or so people present, some of whom appeared not to have an EUR background, were asked several times (in two languages) to leave the premises on their own initiative. First by EUR spokespersons, then by EUR security and finally those present were also asked by the police to leave the premises on their own initiative. The majority did so and were given ample time to do so, without any compulsion or coercion. A small group of activists, even after several requests, refused to leave the premises. The police then took over and escorted them out. Unfortunately, it is mainly these images that got into the media."