Student protests end with plans for more action

The occupation of the Arts Centre Conference Room ended early Thursday morning with the remaining students performing one final act: leaving a pot filled with urine in University House for the Vice Chancellor. Students continue to plan actions to protest the government cuts and the looming rise in university fees.

The occupation ended as the University moved all lectures scheduled in the ACCR, and those involved did not want to disrupt education. Additionally, the issue of Security not allowing anyone to enter the ACCR meant that there were too few people left to hold the room. They did not want to be “occupying for sake of occupation,” explained Megan Fortune.

About 15 students stayed the night in the ACCR. The organisers were proud of the turnout for the march and the occupation. About 70 students were in the initial occupation of the ACCR but as Security made it clear that they would not let anyone in, nor let anyone go to the toilets, students filtered out. The situation led some to begin using a pot as a toilet which was then given to Security, who cleaned and returned it.

Those involved in the occupation and other students who oppose the rise in fees met on Thursday evening to discuss upcoming plans. After debate on types of direct action, it was resolved to hold a teach-in on Tuesday 30 November.

Around 35 people attended the meeting, some of whom had been involved in the occupation and some of whom had not. Some of the latter group found it difficult to contribute, mainly due to the hand signals that were used when someone wanted to make a point and to facilitate the meeting.

The occupation “makes the university look weaker” said Jehanzeb Khan, a second year PPe student who was in the ACCR.

“[It] actually didn’t have a big impact,” said David Reed, a student who was not involved in the occupation. “People didn’t realise what was going on.”

The Students’ Union has voiced support for the occupation and its aims. Education Officer Sean Ruston commended it as “a great peaceful protest” before adding that the University were “stopping you from practicing your right to protest by not allowing you to go to the toilets.”

President Daniel Stevens explained that he has already brought many of the demands issued to the University. He pointed out that “the University is a very small fish in a big pond” and emphasised the need to lobby local MPs. Students in the occupation issued a list of demands claiming they would not leave before they were met.

Walkouts, protests and sit-ins happened across the country on Wednesday at universities and sixth-form schools. Pupils at Kenilworth School staged a walkout before joining the march at Warwick.

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