On Friday 2nd November about 20 people from Brighton Against the War occupied the Royal Navy Unit at Sussex University. The occupiers barricaded themselves inside the building for several hours, hanging a banner from the window reading ‘War I$ State Terrorism!’. One of the university’s daily demonstrations against the war was taking place simultaneously on a different part of campus. On hearing of the occupation the demo moved to the outside of the building being occupied to give the occupiers support. A crowd of around 150 people gathered outside, chanting and handing out leaflets.

Eventually the occupiers announced that they would be leaving (having shut down the Unit for the whole of their working day) to discuss future actions with the crowd outside. The crowd then attempted to enter the building to meet the occupiers, but were prevented from doing so by the police. A brief ‘scuffle’ ensued and bottles of water were tipped out of office windows onto the cops below.

Police prevented the occupiers from leaving the building, threatened them with Pepper Spray and arrested them for Section 5 of the Public Order Act and False Imprisonment. They were held at the University for several hours, had their names and addresses taken and were filmed by Evidence Gatherers.

Despite the arrests, the action was widely regarded as a success and further actions are planned by Brighton Against the War.

Part of a statement released by the occupiers stated, ‘ We believe that it is the responsibility of those who oppose the war to do all they can to sabotage the war effort!’.

To contact Brighton Against the War email:  nwbtcw@yahoo.co.uk or write to Brighton Against the War c/o Brighton Peace and Environment Centre, 43 Gardner Street, Brighton. Regular meetings Mondays at 7.30pm, upstairs at the Hobgoblin Pub, London Road.