March with Sussex on March 26th

Students and staff from Sussex University are joining the TUC’s March for the Alternative in London on Saturday 26 March. Sussex Stop the Cuts has set up an online pledge for everyone planning to come to the demonstration. Please sign up and we’ll keep in touch with transport information and updates on the day.

Sign the pledge online

A sad anniversary, but not one which is passing unnoticed…

Exactly a year ago, on 3 March 2010, the Brighton constabulary erupted onto campus. This was not a seemly sight.

On the same afternoon, the Registrar told the High Court that students had taken him and other members of staff hostage. This was not true.

The next day, the Vice-Chancellor suspended six students. This was an attempt to stifle protest. It did not work and we went on to occupy the Arts A2 lecture theatre in our hundreds, defying the High Court Injunction against ‘occupational forms of protest’.

Later on, the ‘Sussex Six’ were dragged before a disciplinary Panel. This was unfair. (Caroline Lucas MP expressed doubts about the proceedings in the national press and UCU gave the Six £1,000 towards the payment of their fines).

The University’s persistent refusal to set up an independent inquiry looking into what happened appears like an attempt to cover up its own disgraceful actions. But, in the long run, it will not work.

We will remember. We will tell the story. We will ask questions.

A number of Freedom of Information requests have already been made. Questions have been asked about the High Court Injunction and the summary suspension of six students. No doubt others will follow.

A motion was passed unanimously by UCU Sussex on 16 February 2011 which returns to the issue of the independent inquiry.

The Badger is publishing this very week an article recounting the events of last year.

We thank USSU, UCU, and Senate for their efforts in attempting to hold senior management to account – for both their actions and their inactions. However long it takes, together, for the sake of past, current and future students, we will ensure that the truth comes out and that justice prevails.