After police and security attacked a Free Education sit in on Dec 3rd 2014, students at Warwick responded with a 1000 strong demo, followed by an 8 day occupation of university conference facilities - only leaving when the university got an injunction, rendering the occupation illegal. The university has not responded their demands by the deadline they gave (6th Jan 2015) and so they have declared their intention to continue the campaign.
Students released a statement in response to the university's inaction.
"We gave the University of Warwick management just over a month to engage in productive dialogue with us, and attempt to adequately satisfy our demands. Despite media backlash, solidarity campaigns nationwide, and challenge from amongst the staff and student bodies, the University of Warwick management failed on both of these counts. They continue their obstinate refusal to denounce the act of state violence that students were subjected to on their watch. By refusing to acknowledge even the possibility of its illegitimacy, they are refusing to recognise violence towards Warwick students as anything but acceptable. "
They plan to continue with direct actions and further protests in order to force the university to listen to their demands.
"Our campaign for education which is accessible to all and free from exploitation and greed shall therefore continue to develop and expand. We shall be organising further actions and events over the coming months in order to protest against the grave injustice that is being brought against students nationwide. We will be back on campus and back on the local streets. We will be flyering, chalking, marching, chanting and demonstrating. We will be uniting with other students and workers in the region to form a vast and powerful network of activists that will be a force to be reckoned with. This is a common struggle; a struggle against state oppression and the corporatisation of public services, and we will not rest until these matters are addressed."
They also thanked all those who had shown them solidarity.
"We’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us so far, both from within and beyond our movement. Your solidarity has been truly indispensable and an inspiration to us all. The only way we can do justice to our gratitude is by continuing to be as fearless, committed and supportive as you have."
More info: http://warwick4freeducation.wordpress.com/
Tw: @WarwickFreeEd
Fb: Warwick For Free Education
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