Over 1000 lecturers, students and supporters have signed the petition opposing the protest ban in just hours
SIGN THE PETITION HERE:
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/stop-the-protest-ban-at-sussex-university
We, the undersigned, wish to express our solidarity with the struggle against the privatisation of 235 jobs and express our opposition to the decision of Sussex university management to impose an injunction which bans both protest and occupations on campus until September, thus effectively also criminalising the ongoing Bramber house occupation.
It defies our essential and basic right to protest and of assembly, clearly violating the right of students, workers, and the wider community to express their opposition. This campaign is supported by thousands of people, both locally, nationally and international with a petition signed by over 5,000 people, and as was demonstrated yet again by the large numbers who mobilised for the national day of action on the 25th of March. The decision of management to ban the right to protest is an attempt to undermine the success of the campaign and occupation, and to yet again try and push through increasingly unpopular plans for privatisation.
Furthermore, we oppose the notion that Sussex university solely belongs to its management, as it also belongs to the students and staff who work, study and live there. Indeed, many of whom have expressed their concerns with the plans to outsource support staff.
We continue to support the protests and campaign against privatisation and call on the university management to revoke this injunction and drop all attempts to criminalise the protestors and occupiers.
Initiated by Sussex Occupation and Defend the Right to Protest. Supported by Rob French UCU Branch Secretary, Maria Da Silva Education Officer Sussex SU, Dr Daniel Kane School of English Sussex Uni, William McEvoy School of English Sussex Uni, Ned Hercock School of English & UCU Exec Sussex Uni, Mark Thomas comedian, Billy Bragg, Matt Foot Lawyer, Nathan Bolton Essex SE President, Soren Goard Goldsmiths SU Education Officer, Tom Hickey Secretary UCU Brighton Uni & NEC, Jelena Timotijevic UCU Brighton branch & NEC , Laura Miles UCU NEC, Jim Wolfreys President KCL UCU, Bill Bowring School of Law, Birkbeck, Adam Gearey School of Law, Birkbeck
Solidarity.