FREE
@rhulfounder
THE V O L . V I I I
FOUNDER
The Independent Student Newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London
-
I S S U E
4
-
1 2 / 1 3
-
W W W . T H E F O U N D E R . C O . U K
Mass student arrests as protestors clash with police Credit: Oscar Webb/ London-Student.net
BY ROSE WALKER FEATURES EDITOR The Metropolitan Police were accused of “brutality” by students during two separate occasions last week when protesters clashed with police officers at University of London premises. The first incident occurred on Wednesday 4th December when protesters occupied rooms in Senate House during the early afternoon with various reports putting the number of occupiers at between 30 and 100. The occupation began at around 2pm, with those partaking
Ocupation: Some of the protestors marching outside Senate house before police vans arrived releasing a statement that included details of their actions and aims. ‘We have taken over the main management corridor and the Vice Chancellor’s office in opposition to the way our university is being run and the way the higher education sector as a whole is controlled. This action is restorative; displacing the undemocratic and unaccountable management with a democratic space for the free pursuit of knowledge, critical enquiry and dissent.
University of London management is behaving in a disgraceful and unaccountable manner, and we have no choice but to take direct action.’ The occupiers constructed barricades out of furniture within the building and attempted to secure some doors, but they claim that they informed UOL staff working in their offices that they were free to leave at any time. Alex Roberts, a music student at King’s College University, spoke to a journalist writ-
HARBEN LETS your oldest and largest private landlord www.harbenlets.co.uk 07973 224125
ing for Vice website while she was inside the occupation. She repeatedly stated that staff were allowed to exit the building safely, as it was a demonstration, “not a kidnapping”. However, Chris Cobb, chief operating officer at the University of London, said the occupation had been a “disgraceful and aggressive act, which placed the safety of our staff at risk” Continued on page 3...
HL