Occupy UGent<p>Dear Rector,</p><p>Last night, your letter was handed to us. We are currently in the process of reviewing it. As you know from your own experience, our spokes council operates on the basis of open debate, allowing for input and questions from everyone, making it unfeasible to make this decision by the afternoon. Hence, we regret that you have set such a short deadline.</p><p>As has always been the case during the month-long, peaceful occupation, we remain open to dialogue, discussions, and consultations. You have participated in this twice before, and it is disappointing that you no longer wish to opt for facilitation, discussion, or debate, but instead are choosing the legal route.</p><p>We believe and hope that the University, as you state in your letter, will develop a policy that 'explicitly recognizes and acts upon the importance of human rights and sustainability.' Therefore, once again, and as from the beginning, we call on you to act in a manner that is as proactive as the urgency of the genocide and the climate crisis.</p><p>Thus, we reiterate what we have already communicated to you, Mr. Benhaddou, and to the public: our only possible position is to adhere to our demands and, as always, engage in dialogue on how they can be implemented.</p><p>We regret the urgency you impose on us to vacate the building and paradoxical <br> lack of urgency in truly addressing the climate crisis and the genocide in Palestine.</p><p>Hopeful regards,</p><p>The occupiers, your students, in the Refaat Al-Areer building.</p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ceaseFireNow" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ceaseFireNow</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ugent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ugent</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ghent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ghent</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/studentProtest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>studentProtest</span></a></p>