Students defiant as court ruling ends occupation at London Metropolitan University

Published: 17th December, 2010
by TOM FOOT

THE student occupation at London Metropolitan University has ended after its bosses won a court injunction.

But the protesters, who left on Friday afternoon fearing legal fees would leave them in lasting debt, say they will fight on for a fairer education system.

The university applied for an injunction and possession order after students spent eight nights occupying the Holloway campus’s finance department.

Art student Seb Clarke, 18, said: “They were going to call in the heavies so what could we do? We didn’t want to have to pay all those costs. 

“We may have left now, but we are absolutely not going to lie down and take it from now on.”

Two students at University College London were threatened with £40,000 costs following a similar court application by the Gower Street university last week.

Ms Clarke said the occupation at London Met had been inspired by the UCL protest. She had wanted to do something to “sort out education for my little sister and brother”.

She said: “It has been quite beautiful. We have had a lot of support from everyone involved. It has been a good time. We’re like a family. 

“Activism has gone right through my family. My grandmother was one of the original Ban the Bomb lot in the 1960s – she loved it!”

The London Met occupation demanded vice-chancellor Malcolm Gillies write to the Prime Minister condemning the government’s reforms of higher education.

But Mr Gillies was in Dubai and did not respond to the students’ demands.

The occupation was supported by trade unions Unison and University and College Union, which represents staff and academics.

A university spokeswoman said: “We made the decision to take legal action because the sit-in was impacting on the university’s teaching, research and administrative operations. 

“The university fully recognises the democratic right of our students to protest, providing such protest is free from violence and does not adversely impact on the university’s teaching, research and administrative operations. 

“We realise this is an exceptional period for the higher education sector. 

‘The university is continuing to work closely with our students, and their voices are being heard.”