On Wednesday the 19th of February, tensions flared outside Cardiff University’s main building as a van drives into a group of pro-Palestinian protesters who had gathered to block Park Place in a demonstration.
The protesters, waving Palestinian flags, had positioned themselves in the road as part of a demonstration organised by Cardiff Students for Palestine, aiming to disrupt the “Postgrad Live!” event taking place inside the university’s Centre for Student Life. Footage circulating on social media captures the moment the van moved into the crowd. One protester was knocked to the ground, prompting others to place their hands on the vehicle in an attempt to stop it. Several bystanders rushed to check on those involved, with some recording the incident. In a statement, Cardiff Students for Palestine accused the driver of acting aggressively, stating: “Whilst we were exercising our right to peacefully protest, a van… drove into a number of protesters.
The individuals in the van also yelled obscenities at those protesting.” The footage has sparked debate online, with some social media users criticising the protesters for blocking the road, while others condemned the driver’s actions. One commenter wrote “Roads are for cars, not people”, while another defended the demonstrators, calling the van’s actions “reckless and dangerous”. South Wales Police confirmed that no injuries were reported and no formal complaints have been filed. The company associated with the van has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond.