Monday, February 02, 2009

Nottingham Uni Peace Protest

"Dear All

The peaceful protest occupation of lecture theatre B62 ended abruptly
last night when senior management instructed security guards to
forcefully evict the protesters.

After a weekend of being locked into a small section of the Law and
Social Sciences building, power cuts, and a threat of disciplinary
measures; the University management decided to forcefully evict the
protesters. At 6pm today (Sunday, 1 Feb 2009) on the 5th evening of
the occupation security personnel accompanied by senior members of
University management entered the occupied theatre. The students were
told they had two minutes to leave and there was no opportunity given
for discussion. Within this time the team (of approximately 12) from
Nottingham Security began physically removing the protesters. The
protesters seated themselves on the floor and passively resisted their
efforts. Approximately 25 of the protesters were dragged from the
building, some receiving carpet burns and bruised limbs from being
placed in restraining positions.

Cameras were physically removed from the grasp of a few of the
protesters and there is currently no footage or photos of the removal.
The BBC were reportedly denied permission to access campus in a
blatant act of censorship by the University. As they were being
removed a student began to inform the police of events. When they
arrived the police kept the protesters outside the north entrance of
the Law and Social Sciences building, however they did not address any
student claims of assault. The head of university security addressed
the protesters and said they would be allowed in one at a time to
retrieve their jackets and other items of property, but only if they
showed their student ID.. Another security person said that no
personal details would be taken (footage available) however once
inside it was discovered that this was not the case. Anyone wishing to
retrieve their property had to have their names and student numbers
recorded. All of this took close to three hours, the students were
forced to endure sub-zero temperatures and snowfall. Some simply
decided to abandon their property from fear of punishment or due to
weather conditions. Especially after the peaceful nature of their
protest many of the students are consulting legal advice following the
use of, what they considered, excessive force that caused some
physical injuries.

Once again, the University of Nottingham distinguishes itself by
acting in the most repressive and disgraceful manner against what was
a very peaceful, very civil expression of dissent. This is yet another
example of the University Authorities trying to enforce a homogeneous
culture of apathy and consent across the student body. Students who
engage with the realities of this world are seen as a threat to the
University's PR image of enforced servility parading as stability.

The protest has not disrupted any lectures. The room was available for
lectures at all times and many lecturers and students verified the
fact themselves. The University is to blame for any disruption as they
are the ones who cancelled the lectures without consulting the
students or the lecturers. As seen in previous episodes such as the
AUT graylisting and the Freedom of Speech protests, it is obvious the
views and opinions of staff and students mean nothing to the
authorities of this institution.

The senior management could not bear to engage in dialogue on the
important issue of the middle-east crisis with the group of passionate
protesters; and instead reacted with physical violence to enforce the
'harmony' (conformity) of the campus. This is very disappointing,
especially in the light of the mature and positive way in which other
University authorities dealt with student occupations in their
universities.

However, perhaps we should not be surprised. The senior management at
Nottingham University have a proud history of repressing free speech,
curtailing academic freedom and ignoring/disregarding their own staff
and students:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uZLwtit8GXM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zwtnCErn0I8&feature=related
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391989.html
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1184614595?bctid=1581563723
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=402955&c=1
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=402543
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=402280&c=2
http://www.ukwatch.net/article/arrest_of_rizwaan_sabir_and_hicham_yezza
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q_haT6L8GI8&feature=related

If you're at all bothered, upset or disappointed by all of this, you
might wish to write in support of the protesters or make complaints
about university actions to the management:

Vice Chancellor: david.greenaway@nottingham.ac.uk
Director of Student Operations & Services Division:
stephen.dudderidge@nottingham.ac.uk
Pro Vice Chancellor of the student experience: david.reilly@nottingham.ac.uk


For more information please keep an eye on our website:
http://occupationnottingham.wordpress.com/

Thank you to all those who supported the occupation and who continue
to show support for the cause.


In Solidarity"

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