Four people arrested following protests during Clinton’s visit to Queen’s University

Four people were arrested following protests during former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s visit to Queen’s University in Belfast.

Police said they would maintain a presence in the area following minor unrest during a pro-Palestinian protest earlier in the day.

The former US presidential candidate was speaking on the last day of the Global Innovation Summit 2024, held at the university where he is rector.

Protesters chanted “shame” and held Palestinian flags and a picture of Mrs. Clinton with blood on her hands.

Footage taken from outside the hall where Mrs. Clinton spoke showed angry arguments and fights between protesters and police.

A PSNI spokesman said: “Police arrested four men for public order offenses in the University Road area of ​​south Belfast.

“The men were arrested on suspicion of multiple offenses and currently remain in police custody.

“Officers will remain in the south Belfast area this evening and a full investigation will be launched in due course.”

Queen’s University said in a statement that it respects the right to peaceful protest but is “disappointed in the actions of this small number of protesters and condemns their behavior.”

“Today’s protest coincides with the last day of the Global Innovation Summit, a three-day international conference that brings together political, industry and academic leaders to discuss the pressing issues of economic inclusion and sustainability facing our world,” the statement said.

“The conference itself provided a platform for people to constructively discuss and debate different views on current global issues.

“Queen’s is committed to providing an open and safe space for difficult conversations.

“Queen’s University has led the way in responding to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East by calling for a ceasefire, providing scholarships for Palestinian students, and divestment policies, and has responded positively to the concerns of our university population where appropriate.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Clinton told the conference that Belfast was “reinventing itself” after decades of conflict.

He said: “You’ve heard a lot about Belfast, another city that is rapidly reinventing itself in the last few days, and I think one of the main reasons for that was the end of hostilities, and I’ve been thinking about that too. “Like most of us, I was delighted to see this,” he said in his afternoon speech.

“We held an extraordinary conference here a year and a half ago to celebrate the Good Friday Agreement, the end of conflict, moving away from the past and looking to the future, particularly the very strong relationship we have with this university, but others are establishing public-private partnerships with business.

“There is no path to innovation unless you support higher education. “Higher education should be viewed as a public good that businesses, governments and citizens can understand.”

That afternoon, he said, he saw some projects being run in schools in Northern Ireland by young entrepreneurs focusing on making new products using recycled clothing and 3D printing.

“Young children between the ages of 11 and 18 or 19 are given the chance to learn about entrepreneurial opportunities and this goes hand in hand with education and skills acquisition to create a competitive economy. And of course the government needs to do its part.”

Mrs. Clinton also said it was “an honor” to be president of Queen’s University and said she could not express “how pleased I am to be here.”