Brighton University occupied

Solidarity from the Sussex Stop the Cuts campaign with the students who occupied the University of Brighton arts building on Pavillion Parade on Wednesday’s school walkout demo.

Details and a statement can be found at http://brightonresistance.wordpress.com

A chronological account of Wednesday’s demo in Brighton can be found here.

Statement of Departure

This 5 day occupation of Fulton building has come to an end!
It was a statement to this coalition government that the events of Nov 10th were by no means isolated.
We have used this time and space to organise, mobilise and prepare for the 24th of November. This national day of action will see resistance on an unprecedented scale.
We have galvanised other universities and educational establishments to take similar action, and we are grateful for the many messages of support that we have received.
We stand firm on our request that our universities’ management speak out against these government plans which have the potential to destroy education as we know it.
On leaving this occupation we will join the local newspapers picket lines, standing in solidarity with others suffering from cuts.
Watch this space…

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE!

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE:

We are still occupying!

We do need people to come down, though, and have designated the morning as a quiet study space until 1. Feel free to bring your laptops, reading etc and study in the occupied lecture theatre!
…
TIME TABLE FOR WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON:

1PM: “10.11.10: 1 WEEK ON- AN OPEN DISCUSSION” – A forum for reflection on last week’s demonstration, where we can collectively discuss the events of last week, how we feel about them, and where to go next.

4PM: “BOYCOTT ISRAELI GOODS” with speakers, hosted by the Palestine Society

5.30PM: “COPENHAGEN: THE MUSICAL” – A short film made by Sussex students who visited the Copenhagen climate change summit. Well worth a watch. Hosted by the Environmental society

6PM: DAILY ORGANISATIONAL MEETING – All welcome. An opportunity to discuss where we go from here, and voice any ideas and plans for the future of this occupation

7PM: “WORKERS FIGHTING BACK – CONNECTING OUR STRUGGLES” – A meeting with workers fighting the cuts locally

8.30PM DINNER – Hot food for donation- bring what you like!

Followed by evening activities.

Occupation still going strong! Events planned for this evening:

Come join the occupation!

Fulton lecture theatre B

Still going strong, (lots of food- thanks)
Thank you for your messages of solidarity, we’re reading them all on the projector and they’ve been keeping the morale up as usual!

TONIGHT

For those who can make it:
5-6: “Activist security” talk hosted by the Anarchist Society
6-7: “Revolution and state: can we change the world without taking power?” talk hosted by Socialist Worker Student Society
7.15- 8.30: Dinner: Bring what you can, eat what you like
9: Open mic: Music, poetry, spoken word, performance and whatever else comes along.

See you there!

Statement from the occupation:

This afternoon, over 170 students occupied the lecture theatre in the Fulton building at the University of Sussex in protest of the trebling of tuition fees and the attack on our education system.
In light of Wednesday’s demonstration, which saw 52,000 people come out in opposition to the government’s proposed cuts to education and raising of fees, we feel it is necessary for further action to consolidate the efforts made so far and push on in the opposition to these ideologically motivated cuts to both education specifically and public services as a whole.
We reject the notion that these cuts are necessary or for the benefit of society. There are viable alternatives which are not being explored. While the government has suggested that ‘we are all in this together’, we completely reject this and are insulted that these cuts are being pushed through alongside reductions in corporate tax. We feel these cuts are targeting those who are most vulnerable in our society.
Furthermore, not only are these cuts damaging our current education, but are changing the face of the education system as we know it. The hole in finances left by government cuts will inevitably be filled by private interest. This marketization of education will destroy the prospect of free and critical academic enquiry, on which universities should be based. The trebling of tuition fees will further exclude another swathe of society and make university accessible only to the rich.
We reject the media manipulation of the occupation of Millbank. The cost of the damage to 30 Millbank is less than insignificant when set against the damage of lost livelihoods and destruction of public services for future generations.
This occupation recognises that Aaron Porter’s statements condemning the demonstration are counter-productive and serve only to divide and segregate the movement. We are disappointed that, as a national representative of students, Aaron Porter’s statements have detracted from the real issue at hand by focusing on the events at Millbank Tower.
We believe that this Tory led coalition government has no mandate for lifting the cap on tuition fees. Nick Clegg has openly manipulated student voters in his campaign for election, and following the recent exposure of plans to drop his pledge to reject any rise in tuition fees, this occupation condemns his dishonesty and undemocratic methods.
Education is a right, not a privilege.

- We demand the University of Sussex management makes a statement condemning all cuts to higher education and rise in tuition fees
- We are opposed to all cuts to public services
- We oppose a rise in tuition fees
- We call for solidarity and support for those arrested or victimised on Wednesday’s demonstration
- We stand in solidarity with others taking action, both nationally and internationally, in the fight against austerity measures.
- We call for all other university, college and school students and staff to strike and occupy in defence of the future of our education system, and to participate in the national day of action on the 24th November 2010.

Sussex University goes into occupation

200 students went into occupation today ( Monday 15th November) at
Sussex University. We are occupying against cuts and rising fees in education.

Please rush in messages of support to sussexstopthecuts@gmail.com.
If you are a student at Sussex or Brighton please join us in the Fulton building on Sussex campus and bring along your friends, food, drink, sleeping equipment etc…

Follow the occupation on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stopsussexcuts

More soon.

Demo in Library Square 4pm tomorrow

Last week 50,000 people marched in protest against the government’s
attacks on education.

We need to continue the resistance against rising fees and cutbacks.

Join us for a demonstration in Library Square, Monday 15th November at 4pm.

This is just the beginning!

Join the Facebook event.