LCC Occupied

[Steve_j]

Hey all i just heard London College of Communication was occupied last night. The occupation is opposed to the proposed staff layoffs and course closures. I dont know much at this time, will try wander down this afternoon and hopefully post some more info later.

Facebook group here

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=98879933532

[Steve_j]

Little more info, the occupation seems to be going well. The university has recruited some hired muscle to intimidate the students/supporters. They have repeatedly threatened to remove some people by force but everyone seems pretty cheerful. The meeting last night attracted around 100 people (students,ex students and some external solidarity), with the security blocking of the entrance to the occupied hall moments before the meeting was due to start. After a little pushing and some nice words exchanged, those stuck outside simply went around to the back door:) Security eventually gave up and left everyone in peace.

The organisers seem pretty good, very much encouraging people to take autonomous actions (only request was not to damage any property) and very much welcome any support they can get.

If anyone wants some more info, or to go down to show some support feel free to contact them or pm me, especially if wanting to head down as you will need some info on how to get past security.

There will be another meeting tonight a 4:30 and maybe some movies or some entertainment later.

[ls]

Wow, very good indeed.

[Steve_j]

Thanks for your interest :)

Things really kicked off today. The school managment now has a team of about 15 hired muscle to try and deal with the situation.

They then entered the hall occupied, (whilst most students were in class) and called the police, dozens of students came in support whilst at one point the security sealed the univeristy (wouldnt let students to their classes) leaving much more support locked outside the uni.

The students outside the occupied hall blockaded the exit to ensure those trapped inside could not be removed by force. The police arrived and negotiated entrance along with a rep of the Uni managment to "talk" the two inside, who were threatened with suspensions and forced removal (which they did attempt at one point) untill the remaining two agreed to leave without violence.

There is lots of support comming in from other occupations around Europe, trade unions, teachers and students from other universities are joining in where they can.

So technically the occupation is over, attempts to re occupy were foield by the new security but rest assured more actions are planned. Will keep you updated, and as i mentioned before, any support is welcome, if you want more info or want to get involved please get in touch.

[Uncle Ho]

Why, exactly, did they let these security men expel them? I mean, I could understand if this college was for handicapped people, but I assume that they are all sound enough of mind and body to swing some clubs and throw some firebombs.

They got ran out by rent-a-cops, no less. Is this really the best the left can do these days?

[ls]

:rolleyes:

So they should have taken up AK-47s (magically materialising from somewhere of course) and rambo'd the rentacops.

No offence, but get a fucking grip.

[Uncle Ho]

No, rifles wouldn't have been necessary for this. A nice, solid club would work just fine. I would think something along the lines of a baseball or cricket bat would be ideal, but some people prefer crowbars or even just long, thick dowels.

These thugs fled when you locked the doors on them, just think what they would have done if you'd smashed a few of their faces in with bats.

[ls]

The police arrived and negotiated entrance along with a rep of the Uni managment to "talk" the two inside, who were threatened with suspensions and forced removal (which they did attempt at one point) untill the remaining two agreed to leave without violence.

I think it's pretty obvious students here are worried about losing their places, it's not as simple as "go and bash in the security". The fact that they got as far as they did should be applauded.

[Uncle Ho]

Why should I applaud them for such a miserable failure? I mean, not only did they fail utterly, but they didn't even try to succeed, bowing out the second any pressure is put on them.

If this is the sort of thing that should be applauded in the modern left, we truly have no chance.

[Saorsa]

Are you fucking serious Uncle Ho? How many people have you actually beaten up? I think you're just a troll, you're the most stereotypical internet tough guy I've run across in ages.

All your posts are just stupid calls on people to commit stupid acts of violence stupidly. We do not live in Nepal, or India, or the Philippines, or wherever. There is no support for armed struggle here, and no reason to engage in it.

You're just being a total idiot and a complete tosser to boot.

[Steve_j]

Uncle Ho who said these student were "the left"? Some of them are yes, to be honest i dont know about most of them, apolitical i would assume, but they have been forced into a situation where the student union has failed them, the uni has failed them, and they have chosen to independently take matters into their own hands.

Some pretty good life skills to be learnt before they are thrown into a workforce rife with layoff, paycuts and record highs of youth unemployment.
An education money cant buy IMO :)

And by no means have they failed, i really think this is just the begining, instead of being upset by the events today, its made them all more determined and gained them more support. More plans inplace and more actions tomorrow.

Will keep you updated.

More info on indymedia

http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/3057

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

I very much understand them not gunning down cops, but how were they removed?

I believe it could make quite a statement if they had to be removed by force, but either way Bravo!

[Steve_j]

Yeah they could have sat it out(and been removed by force), but if it resorted to that it would mean suspension, so they agreed to an escort of the premises, this way they can get back on the premisis for future actions. I felt the same at first but i think it makes sense in the long run. The two in question are very much part of the driving force of the group and it would be a big loss to lose them, besides there is still more time for that yet.

[bricolage]

Good work at LCC.

There are strong murmurings that this academic year will see a LOT of student occupations.

If anyone missed it a few weeks ago, every University bar one in Austria occupied, 2000 odd were in the Vienna one.

[Steve_j]

Ok lots of news!

Firstly a little blog that is mapping the european occupations

http://zurpolitik.com/2009/11/10/unsere-unis-eine-karte/

Looking good.

Second, in response to being thrown out of the school yesterday, the oppose group decided, since they cant bring the occupation to the uni, they will bring the occupation to the management.

As of this morning the students are occupying the office of the uni rector nigel carrington in davies st london. :)

Managment are refusing to talk. have shut down the wireless connection to reduce communication and shut down the ventalation. More threats from security, more calls to police. Boys in blue are there now and the students are remaining defiant.

More info later.

[Uncle Ho]

Are you fucking serious Uncle Ho? How many people have you actually beaten up? I think you're just a troll, you're the most stereotypical internet tough guy I've run across in ages.

Well, I don't consider police to be people, so very few.

I have, however, conducted some experiments to see if their helmets can stop a baseball bat (They can't, the shock will still ring their bell, at what point you hit them where they aren't armored). I also know that their little outfits are quite flammable.


All your posts are just stupid calls on people to commit stupid acts of violence stupidly. We do not live in Nepal, or India, or the Philippines, or wherever. There is no support for armed struggle here, and no reason to engage in it.

There was no support for armed struggle in any of those places, either, until someone dredged it up by actually fighting back instead of pretending to be the revolutionary vanguard with their sandwich board.


You're just being a total idiot and a complete tosser to boot.

Better a tosser than a little bourgeoisie brat pitching a fit for attention and socialist street cred before I finish my degree in Proletariat Oppression and begin the slow downward spiral into conservatism and despair.

[Steve_j]

Well so far today has been a little better. The students blockaded the rector in his office. Fearing for his saftey he called the police :) Police came and the students refused to move. Negotiations have been taking place through the day and managment has finally agreed to a meeting.
The students have just ended the blockade and are about to enter a meeting to negotiate with the management. Its not over yet but it is a massive break through.

[Dean]

Well, I don't consider police to be people, so very few.
Well, they are human beings. :rolleyes:


I have, however, conducted some experiments to see if their helmets can stop a baseball bat (They can't, the shock will still ring their bell, at what point you hit them where they aren't armored). I also know that their little outfits are quite flammable.
That's good to know. I don't see how such action would have worked in that situation though.




There was no support for armed struggle in any of those places, either, until someone dredged it up by actually fighting back instead of pretending to be the revolutionary vanguard with their sandwich board.

Better a tosser than a little bourgeoisie brat pitching a fit for attention and socialist street cred before I finish my degree in Proletariat Oppression and begin the slow downward spiral into conservatism and despair.

I'm wondering why you are trolling an internet forum when you could be out there - right now - fighting with guns and bats.

[Steve_j]

No agreements were reached, actions will continue. A few small actions are planned tomorrow mostly to gather support for the action on monday in which the students will be working with the UCU at demo outside the board of the governors meeting.

Their info and updates here.
http://www.myucu.net/page97.html

There is some talk of possible industrial action, and some techers are speaking openly (to the press) about the poor behaviour of the managment.

If other students could make it down it would be great (ofcourse anyone is more than welcome) many of us would like to network with other uni's and exchange ideas and rally support for possible future actions.

[Sam_b]

Thanks Steve J for these important updates.

[Uncle Ho]

You mean a peaceful protest failed once again?

Shocking. I never would have called this.

Just a tip, if you want to hurt the bourgeosie and spend the rest of your days in the Bastille, threaten their money. There a great many things you can do to impair their precious cashflow, and once you do that, it's remarkable how receptive they will be.


Well, they are human beings. :rolleyes:

So are the people they gun down in the streets every day. I do not greet those who murder my brothers and sisters with love.



That's good to know. I don't see how such action would have worked in that situation though.Well, it's rather difficult for them to forcibly remove you from the building when they're laying on the ground bleeding from their fractured skull.




I'm wondering why you are trolling an internet forum when you could be out there - right now - fighting with guns and bats. I don't usually have a rifle, as that gets a little messy unless you have the police seriously outnumbered.

It's rather difficult for me to swing my bat right now, as it is rather difficult for me to walk. I wonder if the pig who got my ankle is consoled by this as he sits in the hospital with his jaw wired shut, eating from a tube.

[Steve_j]

first... a polite request. Uncle Ho, please stop spamming this threat with your nonsense. I understand you have a troubled grip on reality, if you need some help please send me a pm and we can discuss it there and i request you stay off this thread from now on.

And on to other news. Students that are listed on the facebook page as being admins of the group have been threatened with legal action regarding yesterday. Also a letter has been sent out regarding disciplinary action. It has appeard online here

http://www.scribd.com/doc/22529608/Student-Occupation-Letter-from-Stephen-Marshall-University-Registrar-and-Director-of-Admissions

In regards to today the students met with various press to raise much needed awareness of the situation aswell and banner drops and flyering to gather support for monday.

Also of interest is an internal email that was passed on to some of the students yesterday. Its from one of the extreemly problematic managment and is addressed to the staff of lcc. Of interest is the unfounded statements it contains that could be a possible avenue to pursue (amongst others) legally.

Very tired, long day (mostly at the pub) to unwind after the week.

Might explain more later if i can.

[Steve_j]

Ok, so more banner drops and a demo was held outside the board of goveners meeting. Lots of support from the techers union (UCU), apparently Unison and GMB were comming, i didnt see them but they might have sent some people, couldnt give an estimate of number but it looked decent. We managed to get a word in with a couple of the goveners (the uni is registered charity), some appeared sympathtic, the main targets were no where to be seen, i assume snuck in the back door.

The group are also looking at an extrodinary referendum to force the student union to start acting on our behalf, or atlest recognise the students as a legitimate democratic voice, will see how it pans out. another long day, too tired to type.