Occupy Goldsmiths has now been set up.
The new wave of occupations in London was swelled yesterday as students at King’s College London went into occupation to protest the ongoing neoliberalisation of higher education. They join the London School of Economics and University of the Arts London who have been occupying the reception area of Central St. Martin’s in response to the announcement of the cutting over 500 foundation course places last week.
Students from these occupations took part in a demonstration yesterday (March 25) from LSE to High Holborn and blocked the road there, then continued to Elephant & Castle and the London College of Communications, which will bear the brunt of the cuts to foundation courses.
As protesters gathered outside to find the building locked, the police were called to the area. A fire alarm was set off, and some students gained access to the building – although the alarm lead to the evacuation of the entire college. The police continued to keep the building shut for several hours after protesters had left.
University of the Arts London Student Union President Shelly Asquith said: “That university management felt the need to call the police to keep us out of our own university building showed they are afraid of occupation as a tactic and of the power of students. We believe firmly that the police should be kept off our campuses and that universities should be a space free from intimidation and police harassment.”
National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts LGBTQ Representative Raquel Palmeira said “ I have been occupying Central St Martins in solidarity with those who will be affected by the proposed cuts to foundation places. This is yet another example of the neoliberal university cutting things which it views as not useful for the free market economy. This new wave of activism is really unprecedented at this time of year, and I think it bodes well for our national demonstration on Saturday in Birmingham.”
NOTES
The London School of Economics occupation has been taking place since March 18 and they are based in the Vera Anstey Suite in the Old Building. The occupation of Central St Martins has been going on since March 19.
On Saturday March 28, the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts has organised a national demonstration in Birmingham to march on the seat of Shadow Higher Education Minister Liam Byrne. For more information, see: https//www.facebook.com/events/425105397638482/
