By Michael Segalov
The University of Birmingham yesterday were granted an injunction, effectively banning all ‘occupational protest action’ on the entirety of the main Birmingham University campus for one year. The university’s application named two defendants, one final year student and one sabbatical officer, as well as persons unknown, referring to others involved in the current occupation of Senate House, as part of the Defend Education Birmingham Campaign.
The courts allowed the inunction, and also granted the university a possession order, giving them permission to reclaim through force if necessary the currently occupied building. However, students remain in occupation, showing courage and dedication that needs to be recognised. By naming the two defendants, the university made them open to liability for the university’s legal fees, however the university offered to not apply for the charges to be covered if the matter as dealt with on the day, effectively restricting the defendant’s ability to challenge the proceedings.
However, some important concessions were won. Occupations under the injunction must constitute ‘multiple persons’, meaning one or two students may be able to occupy and not be breaching the terms of the injunction. Secondly, the university is bound to inform students occupying by letter that they are in breach of the injunction, and give them a grace period to react, effectively allowing short-term occupations to happen. Finally, only the two defendants named on the injunction, and students the university can prove were involved in the present occupation, are subject to it.
This afternoon, students remain in occupation, against the injunction and possession order, continuing to fight for free and accessible education, fairer working conditions for staff, and in defence of the public university (I made these up so double check on their site). Yesterday, over 200 students joined a demonstration on campus, which saw short occupations popping up around the campus and the Senate House occupation grow.
To keep up to date with the occupation go to Defend Education website: http://www.defendeducationbrum.org
Defend ULU –Solidarity with ULU Presient Michael Chessum:
The attack on protest at Birmingham university is part of a wider attack on protest on campus including the protest ban around certain parts of ULU and the recent arrest of ULU President Michael Chessum.
Sign the Solidarity Letter:
Staff and Students have launched a letter against these attacks, see: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/nov/20/police-stifling-legitimate-protest. To add their name to the letter of support, please email Molly Cooper molly.cooper2@btinternet.com
Friday 29th November, Save Your Union – Reclaim Your Campus Demonstration, 1pm https://www.facebook.com/events/548422461899061/?previousaction=join&source=1
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