An RMIT University student is facing potential suspension after posting a video accusing the institution of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza, due to its defence and aerospace research centre’s ties to weapons companies. The student, Gemma Seymour, is scheduled to appear before a student conduct hearing on 22 April regarding allegations of misconduct.
The video, shared on the RMIT Students for Palestine Instagram account in August, shows Seymour standing outside the Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aero Centre at the Melbourne city campus. In the clip, she says: “No more excuses RMIT. There is blood on your hands and we will not rest until you cut ties with all weapons companies.” The caption called for the centre to be shut down.
RMIT’s student conduct report, seen by Guardian Australia, argues that the video publicly identifies the centre’s location, which is not published online, thereby risking the safety of the facility, staff, and students. The report states that the post could compromise the security of “sensitive research areas,” increase stress and anxiety among students, and heighten the risk of unauthorised access. A still image from the video, since deleted, showed Seymour making an offensive gesture towards the centre’s signage.
Seymour, a fine arts student, defended her actions, noting that the centre’s location is signposted on campus. She accused RMIT of trying to suppress discussion about its ties to weapons manufacturers, stating: “I think it’s a problem that RMIT would take more issue with a student standing under a sign … rather than the fact that the weapons companies it partners with are essential in facilitating war and genocide.” She warned that a suspension would have a “chilling effect” on free speech and political activism.
The Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aero Centre lists the Australian Defence Forces, the US Department of Defence, and Boeing as partners. Amnesty International has found that Boeing-made weapons were used in Israeli airstrikes that killed civilians in Gaza. The incident comes amid pro-Palestine student encampments at Australian universities calling for divestment from weapons manufacturers, following Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that began after Hamas’s attacks on 7 October 2023.
