The University of Melbourne issued a legal threat against the student activist group Unimelb for Palestine (UM4P) on Monday 12 May, requesting the removal of ‘Unimelb’ from its name, citing trademark infringement.
In a statement on Instagram, UM4P alleged that the University also threatened to have the group’s account taken down.
The group claims this is part of a broader attempt to suppress activism which opposes its ties with weapons manufacturers.
“This legal threat is just one of many tactics the University has used to silence protestors.”
In the past twelve months the University has issued disciplinary actions against students, used Wi-Fit to track student protesters, and instituted specific bans on indoor and 'disruptive' protest action.
UM4P has since changed its name to U Melb for Palestine and updated its logo, but maintains that the University's actions are a form of intimidation aimed at stifling dissent. They call on the University community to reject what it describes as an attack on free expression.
“We refuse to be silenced, and we will continue to fight.”
UM4P's previous logo, against which the University issued a trademark claim.