The Occupation at Manchester University ended yesterday as the week long siege ground to halt.
Occupiers claimed that without free access to the building the occupation couldn’t serve the intended purpose.
“We tried to occupy somewhere that wouldn’t disrupt students doing exams, but now we know that in future we need to take somewhere where we have more leverage!”
an unnamed occupier told Real Media.
“It ended up being a constant battle to get in and out and endless confrontation with the security, which was no good for anyone.”
Nonetheless the action continues.
“We are preparing a free education bloc for the demonstration this Saturday, and will be looking to help build towards a student strike in 2016”
A student and staff collective action group was discussed during the exit ceremony at which around 50 students and staff attended.
Lessons were shared about similar past experiences, and what has happened in The Netherlands.
“What we learnt is that democratic structures – in the university and the government – completely ignore staff at all points. Over 5 years we statistically proved this was the case, which led students and staff to take direct action together.”
“With students the case is even worse – the University will just try and last a year resisting demands because of the numbers of campaigners that leave university each year. It is clear that we need long term organisation between students and staff that plan ahead”
The Belgian model was muted as a possible goal. The top management is democratically elected, a third by students, a third by staff, and a third by management.
This tied into the stated aims of the group, to promote free education that is liberated, democratic and respects workers rights.
Expect more to be heard from this crowd soon.
