Climate activists protested on Wednesday against TU/e’s cooperation with companies such as Shell and ExxonMobil. They used the opportunity of the Career Day expo to expose an artwork intended to stress that fossil companies are polluting the planet.
The activists belong University Rebellion, a group of students asking the university to take more action to address the climate crisis.
The TU/e should sever its ties with fossil companies such as Shell, says University Rebellion. The past few years has seen various demonstrations of the TU/e protest group to express the same concerns about the cooperation between the university and the fossil industry.
Security
The University Rebellion members were not welcome everywhere on Wednesday. Security staff barred their access to the area where Shell en ExxonMobil had their stands.
“We are denied access to the area, even as individuals. Security staff say we have no right to be there, but they are not telling us why that should be the case”, says Magdalena Skoda, a member of University Rebellion.
Students
Students attending the event saw the protests. “I think they are making fools of themselves by being in a place where they are not welcome, says Jasper Huisjes, a student at the TU/e. However, an other student agrees with their views, but fears that big companies like Shell are not going to take much notice.
Involvement
“We appreciate the social commitment of our students and as well as the other members of our community. As TU/e we accomodate manifestations such as these, because the right to demonstration is a basic human right, as long as everyone’s safety can be guaranteed”, spokesperson Frans Raaijmakers tells us.
Source: Studio040
Translated by Greta
