Thursday, 8.30, Highbury Corner Magistrates Court
On the morning of Tuesday 16 July, at the behest of persons yet unnamed at the University of London, the police violently arrested a young women on the premises of the University of London Union.
For the alleged ‘crime’ of writing slogans with chalk, she was pinned to the ground and her arms wrenched behind her back. She was then forcibly dragged from the building, into a waiting police van, supervised by no fewer than eighteen police officers.
This act of violent police intrusion on to our campus despoils the spirit of dissent and critical thinking which ought to characterise any university. Yet, in spite of the brutal nature of her arrest, she is actually being charged with “assaulting” two of the pumped-up, taser-wielding officers involved, on top of the original charge of criminal damage..
This episode, which shocked and outraged onlookers and has received national media attention, is a mark of shame on the University of London. It is no less shameful than the continuing failure of the institution to provide sickpay, holidays and pensions to its outsourced workers, the cause for which activists were working on the day of the arrest.
It is outrageous that someone should face court for such a minor incident, and it would be a testament to the pettiness and spite of the University of London’s senior management if these charges were not dropped immediately.
This is not the first time that University of London management has brought in the police against the 3 cosas campaign – whether it be a heavy police presence at our protests or the arrest of activists, this is part of a growing pattern of intimidation to suppress a vibrant student and staff led campaign. This is unacceptable – do the University of London do this because they are nervous of the growing support from staff and student across the university community?
If calling the police is an attempt to intimidate the 3 Cosas Campaign, it will not work.
We are holding a protest at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court – we ask supporters to arrive from 8.45 am, to bring chalk, and support our activist.
Info on how to get to Highbury Corner Magistrates Court are here: http://
NO PROSECUTIONS.
NO COPS ON CAMPUS.
SICK PAY, HOLIDAYS, PENSIONS NOW.
SUPPORT THE CLEANERS’ STRUGGLE.
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