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From The Socialist newspaper, 3 April 2013
Sussex University: occupation over but campaign continues
Jack Poole, Brighton Socialist Party
National Demo against Sussex University Privatisation, photo Serena Chung (Click to enlarge)
After nearly two months, the student occupation at Sussex University has ended in eviction by police at the request of university management. Events over the last couple of weeks show that this is not the end of the campaign.
On 27 March, with less than 24 hours' notice, 200 people gathered on Sussex University campus to protest against management's attempt to get a court injunction to end the student occupation of a conference centre.
Police
For over a month, this conference centre has been the base for the anti-privatisation campaign at Sussex.
The campaign has organised dozens of marches, including a national demo on 25 March which saw up to 2,000 students and workers angrily descend on management offices.
The demonstrations on both 25 and 27 March were faced by a police presence not previously seen by the campaign.
On the protest against the injunction, riot vans waited in the car park and FIT officers (responsible for gathering information) were stationed on the roof of management's building.
Management rattled
It was clear that the huge demonstration on 25 March had a big effect on management. Weekly demonstrations and the formation of a rank and file union organisation doesn't make privatised services attractive for potential contractors.
Despite management gaining the injunction, it hasn't been easy for them to evict the occupation, which remained strong and continued to show how quickly protesters could mobilise support. Nearly a week later, on 2 April, police moved in to support the eviction.
But it is clear the campaign doesn't end with the eviction. Occupation is a tactic in the campaign against privatisation, it is not an end in itself. Other tactics can now be further explored.
Strikes
This must include strike action by workers on campus which will be an essential part of a successful campaign.
Students can strike as well, ideally joint action between workers and students would escalate the campaign going into the new term.
Attempts to crush the movement through force will strengthen the resolve of students and workers to fight management's brutal privatisation programme and defend education at Sussex for the future.
The annual conference of the National Union of Students is taking place 7-10 April. See socialiststudents.org.uk for plans and reports from Socialist Students members taking part
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In The Socialist 3 April 2013:
Socialist Party news and analysis
PCS: Striking against Con-Dem attacks
Call for national strike narrowly defeated at NUT conference
International socialist news and analysis
Cyprus: Working people must not pay for crisis of euro and capitalism
Socialist Party feature
Abolition of Agricultural Wages Board will result in increased rural poverty
Socialist Party workplace news
Teaching Assistants strike for agreed pay level
Fighting the Bedroom Tax
Over 5,000 march in Glasgow against the Bedroom Tax
Anti-cuts Warrington councillor supports Bedroom Tax protest
Opposing the Bedroom Tax in Leeds
Fight to scrap the bedroom tax is underway in Swansea
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Sussex University: occupation over but campaign continues
Lakanal fire: Action needed to prevent a repeat tragedy
Workfare and the Labour Party: 'A less than stellar party'
TUSC Mary4Mayor campaign launched in Doncaster
Sick Of Your Boss: young people in work - your stories
Interview: Wirral Youth Theatre cuts
"Is green growth possible?" debated
Don't miss May Day greetings deadline!
First quarter fighting fund target smashed
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