SOAS SIT-IN STALEMATE

Published: 26 November, 2010
by JOSH LOEB

STUDENTS staging a sit-in at a Bloomsbury university yesterday (Thursday) vowed to continue their occupation in protest at tuition fee hikes a day after thousands marched through the West End.

The Brunei Gallery at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has been occupied since Monday by students who are demanding that the university’s principal, Paul Webley, issues a statement condemning any rise in tuition fees. 

Yesterday High Court judge Mr Justice Henderson granted the university an injunction against the protest – but last night about 100 people, many with sleeping gear, packed into the gallery in defiance of security staff who tried to bar them from entering. Once inside they heard a speech from Labour Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn who told them the government’s policy was “a threat to the education of working class, of people from backgrounds that have never been into further education”. 

He added: “We will be going back to something worse than the 1950s if this policy gets through.”

The escalation follows a day of demonstration that saw a police van smashed up and children as young as 13 trapped for hours in police pens in Whitehall, but which passed largely peacefully.

At Pimlico Academy classrooms were left empty as secondary pupils massed outside to hold placards and hear speeches condemning the government’s plans.   

At University College London (UCL), an occupation of the Jeremy Bentham Room began on Wednesday, with students demanding the university’s management issue a statement condemning all cuts to higher education.

University of London students were last night discussing new protest action including storming a talk at Senate House by Paul Webley and non-violently resisting eviction from occupied buildings.

The UCL branch of the University and College Union has issued a statement calling on management to allow the protest in the Jeremy Bentham Room to proceed “…without the use of physical force or disciplinary threats against participants”.

UCL’s press office did not respond to a request from the West End Extra for a statement. 

A spokeswoman for SOAS said: “SOAS does not enter into discussions with anyone occupying school premises. 

“This is clearly stated in the policy approved in 2009 by the SOAS governing body, which includes representative of the school’s students’ union. Many legitimate avenues are open to students who want to bring concerns to the attention of the school. 

“This includes raising their concerns with the elected representatives of the students’ union, who meet regularly with the school director and other senior members of staff. 

“Unfortunately, the group of about 20 students occupying the Brunei suite has not tried to use these avenues. By choosing to occupy one of the school’s rooms, the group has effectively made it impos­sible for the school to discuss their demands. 

“The school remains committed to open discussions with the students’ union and we will continue to work with them to resolve this matter.”

Brunei Gallery, which was built with money donated by the Sultan of Brunei, is regularly rented out for private corporate events.

Student activist Elly Badcock said: “There is a financial pressure on the management. 

“That’s one of the reasons we chose this building.”