On Wednesday evening students at UAL started a peaceful encampment in the Central Saint Martin's Kings Cross campus reception, which they have termed the Liberated Zone.

We met with the students yesterday and will be supporting them to facilitate conversations with UAL leadership going forward. Protest and freedom of speech are fundamental rights, as well as being a vital part of democracy, and we uphold our students' right to take social action. We continue to support all calls for an immediate and continued ceasefire, as per our last statement.

Our main priority is the health and safety of our students, including working to ensure that the conversations with the university are safe spaces for their voices to be heard. We have also offered staff support in assisting them with democratic activity. We will continue to maintain consistent contact with the group to check in on their needs and look to protect them against any forcible action the university takes that we believe would contravene their right to protest as students.

We do not condone any disruption to teaching and learning that would affect outcomes for student’s final grades, course completion, ability to graduate or International Student visa status, but have been assured by the group that this is not their intention.

The group have been clear that students and staff are welcome to visit them at the Liberated Zone to speak with them and learn about their demands; however, we would like to remind anyone who chooses to do so to keep these interactions kind and respectful, and to engage with the students in good faith.

The Students' Union does not tolerate any instances of bullying, harassment or hatred, and continues to uphold zero tolerance towards any instances of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism on campus. The intention for the Liberated Zone is for it to be a welcoming space for those at UAL to come together in shared solidarity, to support one another, and to learn and connect.