The Senate Chamber has been re-occupied!! This means that Defend Education and all the demonstrators from the strike are joining the many other students around the country currently in occupation in their campaign against the privatisation of student loans and the commercialisation of higher education. In addition, we are standing in solidarity with the UCU and their aims of fair pay, in opposition to the cut in real wages they have had.
The day started with a range of talks ranging from discussion of the privatisation of loans and what that meant for students. Then onto demonstrations and successes in other countries like Germany, where student protesters have successfully abolished all tuition fees. Talks were also given in support of the UCU and their aims. Then a march proceeded around campus with the demonstration split into two groups with the aim of occupying different parts of the university which directly deal with finance and private services. However, security cut off all entrances.
Both groups of demonstrators then met back up and marched around the Aston Webb building, where the Senate Chamber was found to be unlocked. Currently there are about 100 people in the Senate Chamber, making it a far larger occupation than last week!! A new term has also been coined - SHOCKUPATION!!!
Universities where occupations have been held in solidarity with the staff strke:
Birmingham
Sheffield
Warwick
Liverpool
Goldsmiths
Exeter
Sussex
Ulster
Edinburgh
Defend Education and all the student strikers stand in solidarity with the other occupiers, and their aims to stop the commercialisation of higher education.