Occupation of Rome university 'discrediting' - Bernini

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 26 - Universities Minister Anna Maria Bernini on Tuesday blasted protests linked to the occupation by left-wing students of the dean's office at Rome's La Sapienza University and the verbal assault on the dean of Genoa University, describing the episodes as "disgraceful" behaviour that goes well beyond the bounds of freedom of thought or peaceful protest.
    "Total support for Deans (Antonella) Polimeni and (Federico) Delfino," said Bernini.
    "The occupation of the rector's office at La Sapienza and the assault on the rector of the University of Genoa are disgraceful actions that go well beyond the free expression of thought or peaceful protest," she added of the protests at the two universities over links with Israel and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
    "Universities are not free zones where intimidation or crimes can be carried out. The violence that some collectives are imposing on the entire academic community is intolerable and has students as its main victims. I strongly condemn what is happening and I thank the police for their support," said the minister.
    On Tuesday morning students at Genoa University demonstrated outside the academic senate to demand an end to participation in the foreign ministry's call for proposals and agreements with Israeli universities and arms companies.
    Some allegedly autonomous protesters also showed up in Delfino's office and shouted insults including "monster", "assassin" and "person guilty of genocide".
    Meanwhile at La Sapienza in Rome there were moments of tension between students and police when several young people attempted to enter the rectorate where a meeting of the groups that had occupied the building on Monday was taking place.
    They had said they were occupying the office to denounced the university's "complicity" with Israel, with its Senate set to decide on further cooperation with Israel on academic projects on Tuesday. "Enough deals with Israeli universities and the war industry," said the Cambiare Rotta (Change Course) group.
    (ANSA).