Here in the Cambridge Law Faculty we are into our fourteenth hour of occupation, but this is just the start. We have spoken to the University and are awaiting their response to our six demands. Waiting is not all that occupies us, however. Banner-making, music, yoga, open discussions, talks and many other actions and activities all create an atmosphere of solidarity and camaraderie in the Law Faculty.
This is an exciting action to be a part of, for those here are committed and engaged in open-minded debate and we feel that our protest over the events in Gaza will lead to an ongoing movement in Cambridge and nationwide. The notes of solidarity we have received from the other British universities who have undertaken similar actions have lent strength to our movement, which began last night after a film showing and discussion. Through phone calls, blogs, facebook groups and word of mouth we quickly grew to a gathering of over one hundred students. The democratic nature of decision making and the lack of hierarchy allows all to speak and be heard. We were all involved in the vote on whether to occupy the Law Faculty, and collectively formulated and ratified our six demands.
In many ways, this could rekindle coordinated mass student activism across the country. Join us!
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WHILE AT IT WHY NOT PROTEST ALSO AGAINST THE BBC FOR REFUSING TO AIR THE GAZA APPEAL????? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE BBC???...
ReplyDeleteFrom Cambridge Student
Well done Cambridge for expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and taking an effective and visible stand against the unjustified killing of hundreds of innocent civilians by the senseless Israel authorities. I was involved in the Oxford occupation, which began and ended successfully on Thursday and i just want to give you guys one tip.
ReplyDeleteThere was a mention of punishment in one of the blogs above; if the university authorities threaten you with fines, resist, but if you cannot, make it a precondition that the money levied from the fines be matched by the university, not by promises of giving surplus assets to Gaza, but with cash, which can be used to buy medical supplies and general humanitarian equipment, for the people of Gaza.
Carry on the struggle against selfish apathy Cambridge and against wanton Israeli destruction: Oxford is with you!
I can assure you that you are not embodying the 60s spirit. Firstly your cause is ill defined. Secondly, as a unit you were not able to agree on any list of aims, displaying the various prejudices which each of your hypocritical organisation harbours. Thirdly and most importantly you have organised your campaign to start at the weekend and finish by Monday morning intended to cause as little disruption as possible and so the majority of students have not even noticed your sit-in. A decision surely taken in order to save the skin of the protesters who are participating.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe, possibly, you've been proved wrong now, Alex. We agreed a clearly defined list of aims through concensus decision making, and we saw them through til the bitter end. I'm sure anyone involved in the 60s student movements would ask no more of us!
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