Edinburgh University Occupied!
jen | 11.02.2009 14:43 | University Occupations for Gaza | Palestine
Breaking News - Students at Edinburgh University occupy the main lecture theatre, beginning the 24th university occupation to take place in this country in recent weeks.
At 1pm today, 40 students entered George Square Lecture Theatre to stage a sit-in occupation, in solidarity with Palestinians and to protest against the continuing genocide and oppresion in Gaza.
The latest news was that security have locked the doors of the lecture theatre, and are refusing to let anyone in or out, except to provide food.
The occupation will continue until the demands are met. These are as follows:
• That the university suspend all relations with companies enabling the conflict and/or occupation, including Eden Springs (contingent on access to information to establish which other companies are implicated)
• That the university divest from BAE Systems, MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls Royce and all other “arms and defence” manufacturers whose products are proven to be in use by the Israeli military
• That the university make scholarships available to students trapped in Gaza, unable to study for university qualifications because of restrictions on them and their institutions, in violation of international human rights law
• That the university collect and ship donations of unused property to war-damaged Gazan schools and hospitals (e.g. text-books, chairs, computers)
• That the university provide logistical and financial support for a series of informative lectures on the Palestine/Israel question
* Solidarity Demo planned for later today outside the occupied theatre – exact time TBA, watch this space! *
The latest news was that security have locked the doors of the lecture theatre, and are refusing to let anyone in or out, except to provide food.
The occupation will continue until the demands are met. These are as follows:
• That the university suspend all relations with companies enabling the conflict and/or occupation, including Eden Springs (contingent on access to information to establish which other companies are implicated)
• That the university divest from BAE Systems, MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls Royce and all other “arms and defence” manufacturers whose products are proven to be in use by the Israeli military
• That the university make scholarships available to students trapped in Gaza, unable to study for university qualifications because of restrictions on them and their institutions, in violation of international human rights law
• That the university collect and ship donations of unused property to war-damaged Gazan schools and hospitals (e.g. text-books, chairs, computers)
• That the university provide logistical and financial support for a series of informative lectures on the Palestine/Israel question
* Solidarity Demo planned for later today outside the occupied theatre – exact time TBA, watch this space! *
jen
Comments
Hide the following 10 comments
Food - Help Needed
11.02.2009 15:39
If you can help in any way, please call me on 07512930335
Cheers,
Mike
MikeB
e-mail:
gaza@chaoticreality.net
Homepage:
http://edinburghunioccupation.wordpress.com
Update
11.02.2009 15:48
There will be a solidarity demonstration outside the lecture theatre at 5.30, so come down and join us inside or outside! Watch this space for updates on events throughout the day - we'll have films and speakers, and the atmosphere is great :)
Katherine
Homepage:
http://edinburghunioccupation.wordpress.com/
Solidarity Demo 5pm today
11.02.2009 15:53
JA
Correction
11.02.2009 16:15
Katherine
Homepage:
http://edinburghunioccupation.wordpress.com/
Food needed?
11.02.2009 16:46
I've not been keeping up to date, does anyone know how many of the Uni potests are still occupied now?
Is there anything else you need, like fags or booze or outside support actions or huge crowds of supporters?
HoL
Solidarity Demo from 9.30am tomorrow (Thursday)
11.02.2009 21:44
JA
dispute one point
11.02.2009 22:40
I think this is unfair. Why should they? They arn't a charity and shouldn't have to be paying because of what Israel/Palestine are doing. Thats like saying, money should be taken out of your bank account to fund lectures.
ali bakhran
Students ? Huh!
11.02.2009 23:38
Actually, in Scotland at least, money is taken out of our bank accounts to fund lectures. We call those things 'taxation' and 'free education'. It is a subsidy but education is the cheapest future.
I for one am happy that taxes are used so that university students are educated about the most important issues in the modern world. I would similarly recommend any funded scheme that teaches primary and secondary school children about the historical dangers of fascism and racism - subjects that are still taught up here.
Personally I don't pay tax anymore so I am going to take some soup instead, maybe do a wee bit of skipping for them. I am only doing this because MikeB asked here. Other Uni protestors presumably also get hungry and should be fed for the duration by supporters.
Students are an easy target for comical parody but I am very impressed with the current number of occupied universities, I wish there were as many occupied factories and warehouses in the UK showing the same awareness and commitment.
Not quite Paris '68 yet but who knows.
HoL
Not a Charity?
12.02.2009 10:11
on the bottom of every page on their website...
Respect to the students!! Solidarity!
Peacelover
Scotland to Gaza with love xxx Medical Aid
12.02.2009 10:28
When clearance is given by the Israeli and Egyptian authorities our truck will take medical supplies from Scotland to Gaza via Westminster.Hopefully in the next week.
The funds have come from all Scots whether Jewish ,Muslim, Christian ,Hindu and non faith based individuals.The work to be done is urgent and entirely HUMANITARIAN and has NO political aim.
As always we need money and sometimes muscle to pack supplies and put on pallets for shipment .If you have either money or muscle or wanting help to raise money.get in touch.
Love
colin
email
Dr Colin Cooper
e-mail:
colin.cooper11@btopenworld.com