Students at SOAS London Occupy

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

And win a victory:

http://socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=16881

Background here:

http://leninology.blogspot.com/2009/01/soas-students-occupy-brunei-gallery-in.html

[Wake Up]

Excellent news.
I'm a student at goldsmiths college and a member of our new autonomy and solidarity organization. Did hear about the occupation but only at 9'oclock ish so I couldn't come down and show solidarity.

Goldsmiths kicked the military out a few years back after long campaigns and hopefully SOAS will get the same result

[benhur]

No offense to anyone, but all this makes us look like brats, protesting for the sake of protesting without any real substance. Moreover, if at all we're protesting, we must make it clear that we're FOR the Palestinian people/workers, and against hamas and other religious fundamentalists. This will improve our credibility, else, we'll come across as weirdos sympathizing with religious groups. And that certainly isn't good for our image.

[BobKKKindle$]

No offense to anyone, but all this makes us look like brats, protesting for the sake of protesting without any real substanceWhy don't you actually read the article instead of posting your inane comments? The students were not protesting just for the sake of it - they occupied the university in order to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people, and this is an important gesture when we consider that people living in Gaza are aware of protests happening around the world and, based on what Palestinian students said when they came to my own university to give a talk just before the end of term last year, they really appreciate it, because it lets them know they are not standing alone. In addition, the students have been able to achieve victories which apply to their own immediate circumstances - the right to use lecture halls at no cost is important because it enhances the ability of socialists to hold meetings and gives all students greater say in how their university is being run, and the expulsion of military recruiters is also progressive, given that a university (especially SOAS) is a multi-cultural environment and may include students who come from countries which have been oppressed at the hands of the British state.

I wish this kind of thing happened at my university.


Moreover, if at all we're protesting, we must make it clear that we're FOR the Palestinian people/workers, and against hamas and other religious fundamentalists.It's quite likely that there are students at SOAS who identify as Islamists and have the same political views as Hamas and other movements which you see as totally reactionary, and excluding these students from the protest on the grounds that they are not committed socialist would have defeated the point of having a protest in the first place. In addition, and once again, a total refusal to offer any support whatsoever to Hamas is synonymous with a failure to stand alongside the Palestinian people, given that many Palestinian workers support Hamas.

Seriously, just go and join the AWL, everyone knows you're a closet Zionist by now.

[Mather]

Good news.

Now they know how to win they should go ahead with other demands and campaigns on more issues such as student housing, fees and anti-uni privatisation.



I'm a student at goldsmiths college and a member of our new autonomy and solidarity organization. Did hear about the occupation but only at 9'oclock ish so I couldn't come down and show solidarity.


Does the Autonomy and Solidarity organisation have a website or hold meetings?

Do you have to be from Goldsmiths College to be involved with them?

[Pogue]

Why don't you actually read the article instead of posting your inane comments? The students were not protesting just for the sake of it - they occupied the university in order to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people, and this is an important gesture when we consider that people living in Gaza are aware of protests happening around the world and, based on what Palestinian students said when they came to my own university to give a talk just before the end of term last year, they really appreciate it, because it lets them know they are not standing alone. In addition, the students have been able to achieve victories which apply to their own immediate circumstances - the right to use lecture halls at no cost is important because it enhances the ability of socialists to hold meetings and gives all students greater say in how their university is being run, and the expulsion of military recruiters is also progressive, given that a university (especially SOAS) is a multi-cultural environment and may include students who come from countries which have been oppressed at the hands of the British state.

I wish this kind of thing happened at my university.

It's quite likely that there are students at SOAS who identify as Islamists and have the same political views as Hamas and other movements which you see as totally reactionary, and excluding these students from the protest on the grounds that they are not committed socialist would have defeated the point of having a protest in the first place. In addition, and once again, a total refusal to offer any support whatsoever to Hamas is synonymous with a failure to stand alongside the Palestinian people, given that many Palestinian workers support Hamas.

Seriously, just go and join the AWL, everyone knows you're a closet Zionist by now.

I'll come to your uni and we can start the great proletarian revolution, kk?

[BobKKKindle$]

Now they know how to win they should go ahead with other demands and campaigns on more issues such as student housing, fees and anti-uni privatisation.

This is why we need a fighting NUS and not an incompetent organization geared towards organizing social events and tied to the Labour Party. We (i.e. the SWP and other revolutionary socialists) are trying to change the direction of the NUS through the following initiative: http://www.anothereducationispossible.org.uk/

Incidentally, the first picture on the homepage is the SWSS banner of my uni, and the people holding it are comrades!

[Saorsa]

No offense to anyone, but all this makes us look like brats, protesting for the sake of protesting without any real substance.

You, sire, are an idiot.


These include an agreement that there will be no military on campus without prior consultation with the student union. A motion passed yesterday by the student union opposes all military presence on campus. It stands for the next five years.


The occupying students will also have exclusive use of the gallery space until end of day Friday. This time will be used to hold meetings on issues related to Israel's assault on Gaza, such as boycotting Israeli goods and Israeli war crimes. Tariq Ali is already confirmed to speak at the space tomorrow.


University authorities have also agreed that students will be able use the lecture theatre and gallery for their own use throughout the year. Previously the rooms cost £1,000 to hire for a day – though the Ministry of Defence got it for free.

[Pogue]

This is why we need a fighting NUS and not an incompetent organization geared towards organizing social events and tied to the Labour Party. We (i.e. the SWP and other revolutionary socialists) are trying to change the direction of the NUS through the following initiative: http://www.anothereducationispossible.org.uk/

Incidentally, the first picture on the homepage is the SWSS banner of my uni, and the people holding it are comrades!

I think the SWSS and also groups like ENS are vital in the light of the Blairite leadership of the NUS. On the smaller levels i.e. in the base organisers of the union, people just don't have any concept of the union having a role ebyond parties and the odd bit of charity. NUS is seen more as a social club than a fighting organisation and hopefully socialist contributions can rectify this situation. I'm making efforts myself.

[benhur]

You, sire, are an idiot.

And you have spaghetti for brains.:D Go figure!

[benhur]

It's quite likely that there are students at SOAS who identify as Islamists and have the same political views as Hamas and other movements which you see as totally reactionary,

Thanks for the admission. I rest my case.


Seriously, just go and join the AWL, everyone knows you're a closet Zionist by now.

Seriously, just go and join hamas and become a suicide bomber, everyone knows you're a closet Islamist by now.

[Wake Up]

Good news.


Does the Autonomy and Solidarity organisation have a website or hold meetings?

Do you have to be from Goldsmiths College to be involved with them?

it's just been set up this year after a failed attempt last year (I'm a first year so I don't know to much about that.) We have regular meetings, both planning ones and more 'fun' events such as film nights. As for a website we are looking into setting up a forum aimed at goldsmiths students but with an autonomous/anti-authoritarian theme running through.

As for your second point it depends what you mean by involved. I doubt that a non Goldsmiths student would be allowed to get involved with the planning agenda type meetings, afterall a lot of our actions will be Goldsmiths orientated. however you would certainly be welcome to help out in other ways, such as attending our actions or co-ordinating with other groups.
We have a film night next wednesday so you'd be more than welcome to attend something like that and contribute.

Send me a PM if you want more information.

[Mather]

This is why we need a fighting NUS and not an incompetent organization geared towards organizing social events and tied to the Labour Party. We (i.e. the SWP and other revolutionary socialists) are trying to change the direction of the NUS through the following initiative: http://www.anothereducationispossible.org.uk/ (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anothereducationispossible.org.uk/)


I have read articles in the Independent newspaper and in the Weekly Worker (CPGB paper) about how the NUS leadership is aiming to turn the NUS from a union into a depoliticised social and consumer group and the abolition of directly elected representatives for unelected officials.

Given that the last few NUS presidents and the main NUS leadership officials support all of these 'reforms', do you still think that the NUS can be saved or is it now so incompetent, weak, divided and depoliticised that a new student union movement is needed?

I am not trying to make a point either way, just to simply ask what people involved with student politics (such as yourself) think about it.

[Mather]

it's just been set up this year after a failed attempt last year (I'm a first year so I don't know to much about that.) We have regular meetings, both planning ones and more 'fun' events such as film nights. As for a website we are looking into setting up a forum aimed at goldsmiths students but with an autonomous/anti-authoritarian theme running through.


Sounds good, I hope it does well.

I don't know if you know about this but check this thread out, it's about a meeting this coming Saturday in London:

http://www.revleft.com/vb/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=295

It's a meeting for all anarchists and groups, be they individuals, federations, network groups, local community campaigns and a lot more. Maybe Autonomy and Solidarity would be interested in having a presence there, if you have not already decided to go.:)



As for your second point it depends what you mean by involved. I doubt that a non Goldsmiths student would be allowed to get involved with the planning agenda type meetings, afterall a lot of our actions will be Goldsmiths orientated. however you would certainly be welcome to help out in other ways, such as attending our actions or co-ordinating with other groups.


Well I am not a student anymore, I did two years at Kingston University before a had to drop out (I could no longer afford not to work full time).

I respect Autonomy and Solidarity for limiting decision making to actual Goldsmith students, I never intended to do that. But I am more than happy to help with any existing campaigns and other actions that your group has already decided on, just if you need another pair of hands or someone to help out with something.


We have a film night next wednesday so you'd be more than welcome to attend something like that and contribute.

Yeah, I can attend that, just send me a PM with the details.

[Wake Up]

Sounds good, I hope it does well.

I don't know if you know about this but check this thread out, it's about a meeting this coming Saturday in London:

http://www.revleft.com/vb/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=295

It's a meeting for all anarchists and groups, be they individuals, federations, network groups, local community campaigns and a lot more. Maybe Autonomy and Solidarity would be interested in having a presence there, if you have not already decided to go.:)



Well I am not a student anymore, I did two years at Kingston University before a had to drop out (I could no longer afford not to work full time).

I respect Autonomy and Solidarity for limiting decision making to actual Goldsmith students, I never intended to do that. But I am more than happy to help with any existing campaigns and other actions that your group has already decided on, just if you need another pair of hands or someone to help out with something.



Yeah, I can attend that, just send me a PM with the details.

yeah we do know about saturday. I am certain a few members are attending and I probably will be along myself.

PM'd you...