Students at the ANU's pro-Palestinian encampment have been ordered to leave by the university due to safety risks.
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The encampment is on a primary evacuation site, the ANU said, and poses an unacceptable safety risk to students and staff.
"ANU identified an alternative evacuation point to service this highly used and heavily-populated area of campus at the encampment's inception," a statement from the university said.
"[The location] is a central, busy and frequently visited area of campus with a significant volume of foot traffic. This includes a student residence for 400 students, major teaching and study areas, a medical centre, a gym and swimming pool, a cultural centre accommodating 1000 visitors, and businesses open to the public."
![There were busy scenes at the ANU encampment on Monday morning as students were urged to leave. Picture: Sarah Lansdown There were busy scenes at the ANU encampment on Monday morning as students were urged to leave. Picture: Sarah Lansdown](/web/20240526233146im_/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/203652251/2b03904a-68e3-4a08-a3c3-ebbb659c1fb1.png/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Canberra Times understands 20 to 30 security guards were on site near the encampment at 9am. A student speaking to this masthead said they believed security guards were likely to be brought in.
"To be clear, as has been the case since the encampment commenced, we have not directed any of our students to stop protesting," the ANU statement said.
"They may continue to do so as long as it is respectful, peaceful and abides by our codes of conduct."
READ MORE:
![An encampment on the grounds of the ANU and an associated rally. Pictures by Karleen Minney An encampment on the grounds of the ANU and an associated rally. Pictures by Karleen Minney](/web/20240526233146im_/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/4adc3b92-1da2-4065-a530-5f6691bb91df.png/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
More to come.