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Police clear student occupation of lecture hall at University of Kassel

Kassel, Hesse, Germany · since Nov 4, 2026

Is it still on?

NOEnded on Nov 5.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Students protested the university senate's decision to amend the civil clause, allowing research collaboration with military and arms firms.
What they want
The protesters demanded the retention of the original civil clause and a new vote on the policy change.
What changed
Nov 5: Police cleared the occupied lecture hall, resulting in 47 investigations and the dispersal of the protest.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Retain the original civil clause
  • Hold a new vote on the policy change

Organised by: Initiative Zivilklausel bleibt!, Asta

What authorities say

The university filed a trespassing complaint. Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck described the police intervention as 'right and important' and condemned the violence against officers. Science Minister Timon Gremmels welcomed the policy change.12

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Crowd
300
The initiative estimated that about 300 students were gathered.2
Arrests / detentions
47
Police are investigating 47 individuals for trespassing and violations of the Hessian Assembly Act.1
Injuries
6
Six police officers were reported as slightly injured during the clearing operation.1

The full story

On November 4, 2026, students at the University of Kassel occupied a lecture hall following a senate decision to modify the institution's civil clause. The change allows for research and teaching collaborations with arms companies, replacing a previous requirement that research serve exclusively civilian purposes. According to the initiative 'Zivilklausel bleibt!', approximately 300 students participated in the protest. After negotiations with university leadership failed, the university filed a complaint for trespassing. Early on November 5, police cleared the hall, using specialized units to remove students from a window ledge. Police reported that 47 individuals are under investigation for trespassing and violations of assembly laws, with three facing charges for assaulting officers. Six officers were reported as slightly injured. The protest concluded after the site was cleared.

Timeline

  1. Authorities confirmed 47 investigations and six police officers sustained minor injuries during the operation.1

  2. Police cleared the occupied lecture hall in the early morning hours.1

  3. Students occupied a lecture hall at the University of Kassel following a senate vote to change the civil clause.12

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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