Occupation of 150 demands Vice Chancellor receives petitions personally
Students at Sussex University have occupied a lecture hall to demand an audience with the Vice Chancellor, following his unilateral decision to suspend six peaceful protestors.
The protestors are taking part in the ‘Stop the Cuts’ campaign at Sussex, which involves students and lecturers campaigning against education cuts.
Clare Laker-Mansfield, Sussex Socialist Students, said “We’re not moving until the Vice Chancellor receives these petitions, and is made aware that we will not stand for the victimisation of student activists.
“There has been a tremendous response to our campaign against intimidation, with thousands of signatures from around the university and beyond.
“Last week anti-cuts campaigners were met with police harassment and violence, in response to our non-violent campaign.
“An injunction has been put on events in the building. This just shows the lengths that management are prepared to go to avoid listening to the student voice.
“Isn’t that supposed to be a key part of education?”
Sussex Socialist Students are part of the Stop the Cuts campaign, which is campaigning against university cuts.
Next week in Sussex, Leeds and elsewhere Socialist Students will be organising in support of striking university lecturers on March 18, and holding a day of action as HEFCE announces next years individual university budgets, which is expected to include huge cuts in a number of institutions.
