Currently there is a something of a low level power struggle going on inside the Law Faculty between the Proctors, other building staff and the occupying students.
Meeting between students and building staff, with a Proctor present.
So far allegations have been made by staff to *fee paying* university students of 'stealing electricity' (by running Laptops from the mains), possibly spreading viruses by using the University network for media outreach with privately owned Laptops, and also asking if people can prove if devices are 'PAT tested' before they can be plugged into mains sockets.
Needless to say, none of this is true.
Threats were also made of suspending web/wifi access, although I don't know if this has been carried out.
Ho hum, all drearily predictable tactics on the part of the powers that be there.
Non Cambridge University card carrying people have been asked to leave the building overanight (including myself), and if anyone leaves the building overnight they don't get back in, but hopefully during daylight hours access for the wider publc will be granted, as the plan by the occupying students is to use the building as a community forum to promote and discuss Palestine related issues.
My advice to those students that remain inside the building is that over the course of the weekend, with or without the presence of non Cambridge University people, further allegations will doubtless be made, and every dirty trick and tactic in the book will be used to harass, belittle and impinge upon them, so they need to stand their ground and not be taken for a ride, and just remind the staff now and again that they're card carrying (and fee paying) students and as such have their own rights and privileges.
For anyone who wants to join in solidarity, turn up outside the Law Faculty anyway, regardless of whether you get into the building or not, because you will be seen by the students inside, and your presence will be appreciated by them.
But remember to be polite to the University staff, regardless of whatever they may say to you, because it's all about supporting the students inside.
Of course, there are plenty of roads and areas around the university site (and in town) where the Proctors DO NOT have jurisdiction over the wider public, and that's all I'm saying on the matter.
Needless to say, none of this is true.
Threats were also made of suspending web/wifi access, although I don't know if this has been carried out.
Ho hum, all drearily predictable tactics on the part of the powers that be there.
Non Cambridge University card carrying people have been asked to leave the building overanight (including myself), and if anyone leaves the building overnight they don't get back in, but hopefully during daylight hours access for the wider publc will be granted, as the plan by the occupying students is to use the building as a community forum to promote and discuss Palestine related issues.
My advice to those students that remain inside the building is that over the course of the weekend, with or without the presence of non Cambridge University people, further allegations will doubtless be made, and every dirty trick and tactic in the book will be used to harass, belittle and impinge upon them, so they need to stand their ground and not be taken for a ride, and just remind the staff now and again that they're card carrying (and fee paying) students and as such have their own rights and privileges.
For anyone who wants to join in solidarity, turn up outside the Law Faculty anyway, regardless of whether you get into the building or not, because you will be seen by the students inside, and your presence will be appreciated by them.
But remember to be polite to the University staff, regardless of whatever they may say to you, because it's all about supporting the students inside.
Of course, there are plenty of roads and areas around the university site (and in town) where the Proctors DO NOT have jurisdiction over the wider public, and that's all I'm saying on the matter.
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