The tent village in the heart of Cardiff, which has been there for two months

In the heart of Cardiff’s civic centre, close to the university building, law courts, museum and town hall, there is a tent encampment. For almost two months it has been there, disrespecting the city’s institutions with resolute determination.

The camp was set up by a group of Cardiff University students 56 days ago, one of several student camps across the UK set up in support of Palestine and calls for universities to take action in light of the Gaza conflict. It was home to around 30 students who wanted to bring the university to the table for negotiations.

Over the past 56 days, students at the camp have spent their days discussing Palestinian issues, enjoying dishes prepared by local Palestinians, negotiating with the university, as well as holding movie nights and study sessions. Students have also been participating in weekly protests, including road blockades, where one protester was seen holding a fake baby covered in blood.

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We spoke to Michael, a Masters student who has been at the camp since day one, about his experience over the past 56 days. He has been writing his dissertation at camp, spending a lot of time in study sessions in the camp library tent. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here

He emphasized the support the camp has had. Not only is his father excited to hear about any updates, but his friends have also come to visit and the students have been well fed by the local community. He said: “The community is great at donating food. I eat better here than if I didn’t live here.”

Michael also told us about his reasons for joining the camp. He said: “I grew up being taught about the Civil Rights movement, the Suffragette movement and you see that the world we live in is based on activist groups and people fighting for their rights and a better world. If my education or university has taught me anything, then that is what I need to do.”

November, who is an undergraduate student, added: “I just can’t imagine not[joining the camp]. We were already marching weekly. I don’t know how you can be doing anything other than devoting your life to activism now, considering what we’re seeing in the news.”

The students were pleased with the progress they had made with the university and will be leaving the camp soon. The university agreed to fully disclose its accounts, which was one of the students’ main demands.

The university has also agreed to host a displaced scholar from Gaza and double the amount of scholarships it offers to asylum seekers, with specific advertising aimed at students in Gaza. As Michael explained, “There is not a single university in Gaza, no one is graduating. This will help by giving people the chance to finish their degrees.”

Despite this progress, the students have other goals they still want to achieve. They said, “We want to make it clear that the end of the camp does not mean the end of the movement.”

The goal they will be focusing on is to have the university divest funds from all the companies that students describe as “active in genocide.” When asked what they will do next to achieve this, November replied, “Wait and see.”

The camp has also had an impact on the thousands of students who will graduate from Cardiff University next week. In light of the camp on Horseshoe Drive outside the Main Building and the possibility of protests at other graduation venues, Cardiff University has sent an email to students to inform them of the “precautionary measures” it has taken.

These measures include moving the Graduation Gardens to King Edward VII Avenue instead of the traditional Horseshoe Drive location, as well as “increased security, with ticket and bag checkpoints at all graduation locations.” The announcement also added: “This is a complex, emotional and difficult set of circumstances, and we ask that you and your guests join us in standing up for lawful free speech and treating each other with respect.”

Students at the camp told us they will be providing graduates with small Palestinian flags that they can carry across the stage “to show solidarity” during their ceremonies. Michael also made it clear that graduates are welcome to visit the camp. He said: “This is a welcoming community, anyone is welcome to come and chat, have a cup of tea or a bite to eat. If you are an undergraduate student and want to come, come.”

When the students first set up the camp, a written letter was sent to Cardiff University students by Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner. It said: “I am writing to inform you that a group of pro-Palestinian protesters have set up camp on Horseshoe Drive outside the Main Building. As I have written before, I fully understand the strength of feeling provoked by the devastating toll of the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza.

“As a University, we must support the right to participate in lawful, peaceful and respectful protests. At the same time, it is important that all members of our community feel safe, respected and free from harassment. We are monitoring the situation while also working to minimize disruption to staff, students and visitors to our campus.”