University College London still occupied by anti-war activists - latest
UCL Stop the War Press Office | 19.11.2003 02:36 | Bush 2003 | Anti-militarism | Free Spaces | London
At least 60 UCL Stop the War activists are continuing to occupy part of the main building at UCL after taking control around 5pm yesterday (Tues). The occupation is in protest against George W. Bush's state visit.
About 150 students walked into the Jeremy Bentham room unopposed by UCL security, although security yesterday had been visibly tighter than usual. The activists have been discussing how long they intend to stay - in negotiations with the activists, college authorities have indicated that disciplinary action may be taken if the occupation does not end tomorrow morning.
National Stop the War activist John Rees visited the occupation yesterday evening, giving a well-received speech which was followed by debate about the global ambitions of the current US administration. There have also been video showings, banner making sessions and meetings to plan strategy for protests against Bush.
This morning (Wednesday) the activists plan to take the struggle to the streets around UCL, blocking some of the busy roads in Bloomsbury at rush hour. There will be activity in UCL all day, with a rally in the front quad at 2pm followed by a march to Senate House where Colin Powell will be handing out scholarships. Students will march from another rally at 5pm, joining up with LSE students to protest against Bush in central London.
Some slogans from banners made at the occupation:
Awake the spirit of '68.
Drop fees not bombs.
Stop Bush.
Out of London, out of Iraq.
Quotations
"We are protesting about the unprecedented invitation by our government to a full state visit by a president of the US who has spent the years of his presidency executing acts of malice and injustice around the world - and we do mean 'executing.'" Alex Higgins
"We are creating a space where we can organise protests against George Bush as and when we find out what he's doing - and for debate and to provide accommodation for people coming down for the protests against Bush." James Cornelius
"The atmosphere is really buzzing. Everyone's really excited. Everyone's up for doing stuff." Jim Green
The occupation is "not just about Iraq, it's about the environment, about the poor in the US, the death penalty as a political choice, the arms trade, the war on drugs, the increased development of nuclear weapons, the militarisation of space and the trashing of the Geneva Convention." Alex Higgins
Press Office
UCL Stop the War
National Stop the War activist John Rees visited the occupation yesterday evening, giving a well-received speech which was followed by debate about the global ambitions of the current US administration. There have also been video showings, banner making sessions and meetings to plan strategy for protests against Bush.
This morning (Wednesday) the activists plan to take the struggle to the streets around UCL, blocking some of the busy roads in Bloomsbury at rush hour. There will be activity in UCL all day, with a rally in the front quad at 2pm followed by a march to Senate House where Colin Powell will be handing out scholarships. Students will march from another rally at 5pm, joining up with LSE students to protest against Bush in central London.
Some slogans from banners made at the occupation:
Awake the spirit of '68.
Drop fees not bombs.
Stop Bush.
Out of London, out of Iraq.
Quotations
"We are protesting about the unprecedented invitation by our government to a full state visit by a president of the US who has spent the years of his presidency executing acts of malice and injustice around the world - and we do mean 'executing.'" Alex Higgins
"We are creating a space where we can organise protests against George Bush as and when we find out what he's doing - and for debate and to provide accommodation for people coming down for the protests against Bush." James Cornelius
"The atmosphere is really buzzing. Everyone's really excited. Everyone's up for doing stuff." Jim Green
The occupation is "not just about Iraq, it's about the environment, about the poor in the US, the death penalty as a political choice, the arms trade, the war on drugs, the increased development of nuclear weapons, the militarisation of space and the trashing of the Geneva Convention." Alex Higgins
Press Office
UCL Stop the War
UCL Stop the War Press Office
e-mail:
uclstopwarpressoffice@yahoo.co.uk
Homepage:
http://www.uclstopwar.org.uk/
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