**SHEFFIELD UNI IN OCCUPATION!**

Solidarity with the students of Sheffield University who went into occupation earlier this evening. They are occupying their university in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza who are still suffering from the ongoing blockade and recent attack.

They are in the Hicks Building. Please visit/join the occupation when you can and support the demands for material changes for Palestine.

Watch their blog: http://www.sheffoccupied.blogspot.com/

In solidarity!

SUPPORT THE MANCHESTER DEMO TOMORROW

A demonstration has been called to demand that the chancellor of the University of Manchester listens to its students in occupation in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Manchester University students have now been in occupation for for over 3 weeks, the longest running student occupation in solidarity with Gaza. The occupied room in the Simon Building in the heart of the student campus has been a haven of productivity. Meetings have attracted over a thousand people, rallies and vigils organised, banners and placards made, radio interviews and visits from university staff, students and security showing their support for the occupation. The occupation has been innundated with support from Noam Chomsky to Israeli lecturers. Through the occupation other protests have been ignited including the 'removal' of DTSL (arms trade researcher) recruitment stall.

The students have now organised a National Demonstration to demand the Manchester University Vice-Chancellor listens to its students and meet their honourable demands.

SUPPORT THE MANCHESER DEMONSTRATION TOMORROW (WED 4TH MARCH).

ASSEMBLE 2PM MANCHESTER STUDENTS UNION, OXFORD RD.

Sheffield activists shall be meeting at Sheffield train station at 10am to travel to the demonstration.

See you there!

Worcester councillors back Gaza twinning bid

City councillors have backed a motion which could lead to Worcester being twinned with Gaza City. A notice of motion put forward by Alan Amos, Warndon city councillor, was passed after a carefully worded amendment tabled by David Tibbutt, councillor for Battenhall, was accepted. The amended motion read: "The city of Worcester invite the Twinning Association to consider twinning Worcester with Gaza City."

Read full article: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4151904.Worcester_may_twin_with_war_torn_Gaza/

Cardiff occupation ends in victory!

Many congratulations to the occupying students at Cardiff University for ending their occupation victoriously!

Following the open letter to Vice Chancellor David Grant, the BOOKS not BOMBS demonstration outside the Student Union and the subsequent occupation of the Large Shandon, Cardiff University has divested all shares from BAe Systems and the aerospace arm of General Electric!

The university management has instructed their external fund managers to avoid future investments in the arms trade, and have promised to raise the issue of an ethical investment policy at the next Council Meeting on May 18th. They are also willing to discuss the provision of surplus computers and resources to institutions in Gaza.

Please see the Cardiff blog for further information:
http://occupiedcardiff.blogspot.com/

In solidarity!

York University protest

York University students are holding a demonstration against their university's investment in the arms trade this Friday. They want as many people as possible to come and show their support in what is hoped to be a vocal and colourful demonstration.

Assemble 12pm Friday 27th Feb, Central Campus

See this Facebook link for further details:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=46352156658

Protest at the G20 in London

PROTEST AT THE G20 IN LONDON.

Demonstrate Wednesday 1st April, Central London.

Protest at the summit Thursday 2nd April.

The leaders of the world's big powers will meet at the G20 summitin London on April 2. It is Barack Obama's first visit to Britain. It is our chance to demand a change from Bush's war policies. The Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, The British Muslim Initiative, and CND have called two protests at the G20; a march and rally in central London on the afternoon of April 1st, and a protest to the conference itself on April 2nd. In the afternoon of April 1st we will be marching through Central London while Barack Obama speaks to Parliament. On Thursday morning we will be protesting to the summit itself atthe Excel Centre in East London.

Our message will be 'Yes We Can'. Yes we can end the siege of Gaza and free Palestine, get the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, make jobs not bombs, abolish nukes, stop arming Israel.

More information will follow.

STOP THE WAR RALLY

SOLIDARITY WITH GAZA - END THE WAR ON TERROR

The Stop the War Coalition is going on the road. They are organising meetings in towns and cities up and down the country,with speakers including Palestinians, activists, representatives of the Muslim community and well known figures such as Tony Benn, Bruce Kent and Jeremy Corbyn.

The title of the meetings is 'Solidarity with Gaza, end the war on terror' and they are aimed to sustain the momentum of the mass movement round Palestine whilst mobilising for the week of protests around the G20 and NATO in early April. Below is a list of meetings in the South Yorkshire area . More are being organised up and down the country. If you would like a meeting in your area, please let Stop The War Coalition know. They will provide speakers and help you to organise and publicise it.

Doncaster: 3rd March with Lindsey German & Andrew Murray.

Sheffield: 11th March with Bruce Kent CND, Muhammed Ali - Islam Channel, Lindsey German.

For more information call: 0207 278 6694

Plymouth, Cardiff and UAL OCCUPIED! The movement grows and grows

Occupation news:

Congratulations to UWE who won their occupation a couple of days ago. Cardiff, Plymouth and the University of the Arts, London became the latest universities to occupy.

18 NYU students have been suspended following the occupation which ended on Thursday. Please check http://www.takebacknyu.com/ to see how you can support them.

St Andrews, UEL and Manchester continue to occupy, with Manchester now in their third week of occupations!

Manchester Demonstration

A demonstration has been called to demand that the chancellor of the University of Manchester listens to its students in occupation in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

ASSEMBLE 2 PM 4TH MARCH, MANCHESTER STUDENTS UNION

"Now 2 weeks on, University of Manchester students have occupied key buildings in the heart of the campus. The occupation has seen an unprecedented amount of support from students and academics alike most notably in an emergency general meeting in which over a thousand students attended to overwhelmingly support a motion to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Entering their 18th day, the occupation is still strong in both numbers and spirit. The next focus is to pressure the university administration to accede to our reasonable demands but the arrogant and uncomprimising Vice Chancellor (send complaints to president@manchester.ac.uk) has failed to make any concessions for the student body claiming that the university cannot take a political position. But given the universities unethical investments in the arms trade, such an action is a political position. Notorious for his history at Melbourne University, he refused to engage in an open and just dialogue with the students of the occupation even threatening to take away the right to protest!"

- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54289401540&ref=ts#/event.php?eid=53417963213&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmanunioccupation.wordpress.com%2F&h=fcd8ea142b77ca8ca3f54ceae3d5540c

The wounds of Gaza: Report by UK surgeons

Two UK surgeons, Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah and Dr Swee Ang, who were in Gaza during the Israeli invasion, describe their experiences in The Lancet magazine.

Gaza was bombed from the air by F16 and Apache helicopters, shelled from the sea by Israeli gunboats and from the land by tank artillery. Many schools were reduced to rubble, 40 mosques, hospitals, UN buildings, and 21,000 homes, 4,000 of which were demolished completely. It is estimated that 100,000 people are now homeless.

The death toll is estimated at 1,350 with the numbers increasing daily, due to the severely wounded continuing to die in hospitals. 60% of those killed were children. It is estimated that of the severely injured, 1,600 will suffer permanently disabilities. These include amputations, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, large burns with crippling contractures.

READ FULL REPORT: http://stopwar.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1054&Itemid=1

UWE, NYU, St. Andrews, UEL, Byam Shaw OCCUPIED

Sorry I've not been on top of the blog lately! Here is a quick update on the occupations:

UWE have ended their three day occupation of the atrium area outside of lecture theatres 2B25 and 2B20. They have been negotiating with Vice-Chancellor Steve West and Deputy Vice-Chancellor John Rushforth and won significant demands. Check out their blog.

NYU have posted a statement up on their website which includes details of the ending of the occupation and the arrest that was made.

St Andrews have written a statement expressing their disgust at the treatment NYU students received as well as the treatment that students at Nottingham, Sheffield Hallam and Cambridge suffered. The occupation has received messages of support including one from the Isalmic Univesrity of Gaza.

UEL have also been receiving messages of support from Noam Chomsky and the Friends of CAIS Maloka and ISBO Collective. Please continue to contact their acting vice chancellor Professor Susan Price at s.price@uel.ac.uk or 020 822 34159 and urge her politely to consider their demands.

Manchester are also still struggling to be heard by their Vice Chancellor. They have called a demo on the 4th March at 2pm outside the Manchester Student Union.

Byam Shaw are also entering their third day but seem in good spirits.

Sheffield Hallam has seen the dismissal of Lewie Morris from his Sheffield Hallam Union post.

Viva Palestina convoy stopped by British Police

Urgent: Viva Palestina Convoy stopped by British Police

Yesterday the ‘Viva Palestina’ convoy taking vital humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip was stopped by the British Police under the ‘Anti-Terror’ legislation. Nine of its drivers were arrested.
Since Israel’s imposition of the horrific blockade upon the 1.5 million Gazans 18 months ago, life in Gaza has become virtual hell. The list of material banned by the Israeli occupation from entering Gaza is a clear example of the collective punishment being directed against the Palestinians; it includes cement for building homes, medicine for hospitals, and even stretches into preventing some children’s books from entering one of the poorest and densely populated areas on the face of the Earth.
This strangulation of the strip was then followed by an onslaught which has instantly catapulted Israel’s war into comparisons with some of the most horrific war crimes that modern history has ever seen. Since December 27th- the day in which Israel’s bombing began, and January 3rd the onset of the ground invasion; the rockets, soldiers, fighter jets and missiles of one of the world’s most advanced armies has reduced one of the most oppressed regions in the world to looking like what the BBC calls ‘an earthquake zone’. With over 1,300 dead, thousands more injured, 20,000 houses demolished, and hospitals, schools, and aid compounds attacked; it is little wonder that the President of the UN General Assembly has described Israel’s war as ‘genocidal’.
Weeks of war crimes have taken their toll on the brave Palestinian People. Over 400,000 are now without running water, and a further 100,000 are now facing existence without even a roof over their head. Hospitals - those that are still able to function - are bit by bit being forced to turn of their equipment and shut their wards.
The ‘Viva Palestina’ convoy, driving from London to Gaza, aims to take vital aid to ease the sufferings of those trapped in what increasingly resembles the World’s largest prison camp. Crammed full of essential items including hospital aid, blankets, tools, children’s clothes and water purification equipment and driven in 12 ambulances, donated minibuses and a fire engine, the convoy is over a mile long and will potentially be some of the first aid to reach Gaza. The convoy is a lifeline being rushed to an already desperate people.
The convoy was stopped on Friday 13th as it was driving along the M62. Nine of the drivers were arrested; six were then released, with the Police confiscating passports and driving licences. This disgusting attempt to stop aid reaching Gaza should be condemned and described for what it is: a desperate attempt on behalf of the British government to continue Israel’s policy of cutting of Gaza’s 1.5 million people from the outside world and reducing their civilisation to rubble. This scarcely hidden form of war is just as aggressive and costly to human life as Israel’s Merkava tanks and F16 jets, and should be opposed as such.
We urge all those who have supported the university student occupations, those who have marched for Gaza over the last few weeks, and all those who defend a People’s right to live in peace to protest the stopping of the ‘Viva Palestina’ convoy and demand that it be allowed to continue its journey to Palestine.

Check for updates: http://www.vivapalestina.org/

Victory for the Goldsmiths Occupation!

Students from Goldsmiths University have left their Occupation as victors. Read more about it and check out the photos on their blog: www.goldsmithsoccupation.blogspot.com

Hampshire College becomes first college in U.S. to divest from Israeli Occupation!

Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, has become the first of any college or university in the U.S. to divest from companies on the grounds of their involvement in the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

This landmark move is a direct result of a two-year intensive campaign by the campus group, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The group pressured Hampshire College's Board of Trustees to divest from six specific companies due to human rights concerns in occupied Palestine. Over 800 students, professors, and alumni have signed SJP's "institutional statement" calling for the divestment.

The proposal put forth by SJP was approved on Saturday, 7 Feb 2009 by the Board. By divesting from these companies, SJP believes that Hampshire has distanced itself from complicity in the illegal occupation and war crimes of Israel.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE:
http://www.hsjp.org/2009/02/12/immediate-release-hampshire-college-becomes-first-college-in-the-united-states-to-divest-from-the-israeli-occupation/

Another Education is Possible

Another Education is Possible national demonstration

Weds 25th Feb. Assemble 12 noon outside School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, WC1 (off Malet Street).

* Free education * Anti-war: Troops out now * Anti-fascism: Fight the BNP * Freedom for Palestine * Stop Climate Chaos *

It's time to build the movement! Our education system is under attack: students are being locked into massive debts, entire departments are under threat and our courses are being moulded by the market. Recently we have seen students in Greece, Italy and other countries resisting the onslaught. We can do it too.

Another Education is Possible sets out to unite broad layers of student activists and groups. By bringing debate back onto campus, building broad campaigns and by standing shoulder-to-shoulder we can show that another education is possible.

web: http://www.anothereducationispossible.org.uk/
email: anothereducation@mail.com

We'll be organising a coach down, get in touch about it.

Sheffield Hallam Free Gaza Movement

Thank you to students and workers of Sheffield who supported Matt Vicary on the picket line. We also saw support on the picket line from the National Union of Journalists, Stop the War Coalition and our own lecturers.

Following the protest we held an organising meeting to debate what to do next at Sheffield Hallam Uni. It was decided that we shall now go under the name Sheffield Hallam Free Gaza Movement. Under this name we shall build initiatives and campaigns and continue to put pressure on the university management to fulfil the demands of the occupation.

Current campaigns and initiatives:

End victimisation at Sheffield Hallam:

• Matt Vicary's displinary hearing is scheduled for Thursday 19th February (the union haven't given Matt a time yet). We aim to gather as much support for Matt as possible so we shall be meeting at 12 noon til 2pm on the Concourse outside the Owen Building everyday until the hearing to hand out leaflets and inform students on what is happening. To ensure it's not the same people flyering everyday, we encourage you to help out with this. Even if you can only come along for a short while.
• On the day of the hearing (Thurs 19th Feb) we shall be holding a rally followed by a picket at the students union. Times etc to be confirmed.
• Please continue to email Russ Swannack, the union president, to express your sentiments: r.swannack@shu.ac.uk, uuspresident@shu.ac.uk
• You can also join the 'FREE GAZA; Stop victimisations at Sheffield Hallam!' Facebook group and send messages of solidarity: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=54289401540&ref=mf

Stop the War Society

• We are currently organising the formation of a Stop the War society at Hallam. If you are interested in joining this initiative or being on the committee please email: stopthewar.hallam@googlemail.com

Public Meeting: FREE GAZA! What the students are doing

• A public meeting on student activism and the free Palestine campaigns. Time and venue to be confirmed.

Drop Beats Not Bombs:

• A Sheffield music event to raise money and awareness for Palestine and our campaign. With local bands and DJs. Time and venue to be comfirmed.

Books Not Bombs

• We shall be organising a Books Not Bombs campaign (similarly seen at Nottingham University). Where we ask students to donate books which will be sent to Gaza. We shall be approaching the university for support in this campaign as they throw away loads of useable books and computers which could be sent to Gaza. Aswell as offering practical help to Palestine, this campaign can be a way to raise awareness amongst students and enable them to contribute.

Boycott Israeli goods

• A campaign to end the sales of Israeli goods on our campuses. We shall also be targeting food giants who support Israel. For this we shall be looking for support from the University and College Union and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

We shall keep you updated on the campaigns. If you would like to help out please do not hesitate to get in touch. Email us at: sheffhallamoccupation@gmail.com

Hallam Union victimisation UPDATE

The undemocratic disaplinary of Matt Vicary has been postponed until next Thursday as a result of pressure put on the students union from Hallam University students, lecturers and messages of complaint from trade union branches and public.

However, the student union has not recinded the unfounded accusations against him, or the Welfare Exectutive Lewie Morris (who's hearing went ahead today at 5:30pm).

It is clear that the disciplinaries are politically motivated as both Matt and Lewie have been the most outspoken against the governance review, and leading activists in the Free Education and Free Gaza campaigns.

Following the recent Gaza solidarity student occupation of Hallam Uni the student union added another complaint with regards to Matt's suspention. The union refuse to tell anyone what this complaint is! To ensure a fair hearing we demand the union publishes this complaint but ultimately we demand that the students union put an end to this farcical trial and drop all charges against Matt and Lewie and end victimisation at Sheffield Hallam.

It's vital to keep up the pressure on the students union and to continue your support for the Sheffield Hallam students. Please help by emailing Russ Swannack (Hallam Union president) with your sentiments: r.swannack@shu.ac.uk, uuspresident@shu.ac.uk

Thank you to everyone for sending messages of solidarity to Matt and Lewie, messages of complaint to the students union and to those who attended todays protest.

In solidarity

University of East Anglia OCCUPIED!

UEA went into occupation yesterday.
Check out their blog for up-to-date information: http://ueaoccupation.blogspot.com/

In solidarity.

UCU condemn attacks on Gaza

At a University and College Union (UCU) branch meeting today, academic staff from Sheffield Hallam University passed a motion condemning the attacks on Gaza. Staff will be attending tomorrows protest against the victimisation of students taking part in solidarity action over the Gaza crisis (although they cannot interfere in Union affairs as they are not members).

The staff will put together a UCU motion to try to get their members to agree to some more official support for students under threat from their union or from the University.


Solidarity with Sheffield Hallam lecturers and staff.

Suspended for supporting Gaza!

Suspended for supporting Gaza!
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union is victimising Matt Vicary, Equal Opportunities officer for supporting the protests and occupations against the siege of Gaza. Matt is a dedicated and committed activist trying to force his Union to take up political campaigns and has been suspended by dictat of the President without being informed of the complaints or charges against him.

Accusations.
The only accusation put to Matt was that he was "in breach of conduct" for taking part in a stage protest at NUS conference over its refusal to condemn Israeli aggression and for supporting the occupation at Sheffield Hallam. The student occupations have found support from around the world and we must make sure that some of our most committed activists are not victimised as a result. We are calling for the disciplinary to be postponed until Matt receives details of the evidence against him.

Lewie Morris - a second victimisation.
On the same day at 5pm the Union will discuss formalising its removal of another leftwing officer from its executive Lewie Morris, Union Welfare officer for opposing constitutional reform. That the victimisations of all the Unions leftwing representations should happen on the same day over unconnected charges is a farce.

Several students at Sheffield Hallam University have been threatened with suspension because of their participation in the recent occupation of the university. The student union has refused to condemn this and refused to fight for its own members. We should fight for the type of union that promotes student activism - not bans it.

Stand in solidarity with Matt and the students by protesting:

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE VICTIMISATION OF STUDENTS TAKING PART IN SOLIDARITY ACTION OVER GAZA CRISIS:

Assemble 2:30pm Thursday 12th Feb at the HUBS, Sheffield Hallam Students Union, Paternoster Row.

You can also email Russ Swannack, the union president, to express your sentiments: r.swannack@shu.ac.uk, uuspresident@shu.ac.uk

You can also join the 'FREE GAZA; Stop victimisations at Sheffield Hallam!' Facebook group and send messages of solidarity: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=54289401540&ref=mf

Protest against victimisation at Sheffield Hallam

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE VICTIMISATION OF STUDENTS TAKING PART IN SOLIDARITY ACTION OVER GAZA CRISIS

Assemble 2:30pm Thursday 12th Feb at the HUBS, Sheffield Hallam Students Union, Paternoster Row.

Edinburgh Uni in occupation!

Around 30 students of Edinburgh Unviersity are currently peacefully occupying George Square Lecture Theatre in protest at Israel's actions in Gaza, and to encourage the University to accept a list of demands which were put to them in the form of a petition this morning. The petition has been signed by more than 300 students at Edinburgh University.

Goldsmiths, London, OCCUPIED!

Show your solidarity here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54327346539

Article in the Independant newspaper

"Students are revolting: The spirit of '68 is reawakening"

READ ARTICLE:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/students-are-revolting-the-spirit-of-68-is-reawakening-1604043.html

Glasgow University now occupied!

Well done Glasgow! In solidarity.
Check out their blog:
http://glasgowunioccupation.blogspot.com/

A win for University of Rochester, New York, USA

The University of Rochester, in the US has claimed victory after nine hours of occupation. The New York University was occupied after being inspired by the wave of occupations in the UK. Congratulations and solidarity to our brothers and sisters accross the pond.
Check out their blog for more info:
http://www.thesitch.com/occupation/

American solidarity and victory at Strathclyde

The University of Rochester in New York has been occupied after being inspired by the occupations in the UK. Congratulations and solidarity!

The occupation of Strathclyde Uni, Glasgow Which begun on Wed 4th Feb at 2:30pm, ended yesterday, Thurs 5th Feb at 1:30. A swift and successful occupation! After a 24 hour occupation of Registry; 3 negotiation sessions with the university authorities and a students' association that opposed the actions, they managed to win a series of promises from the University administration:
-The Eden Springs contract has been CANCELLED
- Scholarships will be provided for 1-3 (and potentially more) Palestinian students
- The DEC appeal will be publicised on campus and on the University homepage
- The University will re-establish its link with the University of Gaza
- The University denies that it has any links with BAE systems beyond the company funding one student to the sum of £5000 in the engineering department. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen, and we shall investigate this further.

Many congratulations to Stathclyde.

National Student Activist Meeting

Stop the War Coalition has called a Student Activist Meeting on Satuday 7th February, 12-4 pm, Birkbeck College, central London.

12-1pm
Solidarity with Gaza. End the War on Terror.
Speakers include:
Tony Benn, George Galloway MP, Lindsey German, Mira Hammad.

1-2:30pm
Building solidarity with Palestine on campuses.
With representatives from University campaigns.

3-4pm
Closing Rally: The future of the anti war movement
Jeremy Corbyn & others

To book a place email: students@stopwar.org.uk

Justice for Palestine meeting

Sheffield University Palestine Society has called a meeting discussing Israel's brutal attack on Gaza, the international out cry against the attacks and what we can do to help at:

6:30pm, Tuesday 10th February. Sheffield University, Students' Union Auditorium, Western Bank

Speakers include:

Bellavio Ribeiro-Addy (NUS Black Students' Officer),
Lindsey German (Convenor, Stop the War Coalition),
Musheir El-Farra (Chair, Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign),
Abdul Gooljar (President, Islamic Society of Briatain - Sheffield Branch),
Fiona Edwards (Student Convenor, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament).
Chair: Al-Hussein Abutaleb (Sheffield University Black Students' Committee).

Israeli Ambassador Protest: Mon 9th Feb, London.

Kensington and Chelsea Council have invited the Israeli Ambassador for a diplomatic reception at Kensington Town Hallon Monday 9 February, despite Labour councillors tabling a motion calling for the invitation to be withdrawn.
A London-wide protest has been called outside Kensington Town Hall, when the reception takes place at 5.30pm on 9 February. The Israeli Ambassador should not be feted at diplomatic receptions but expelled from Britain for the war crimes perpetrated by the country he represents.
* Israeli Ambassador Protest, Monday 9 February 5.30pm
* Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7nx

Viva Palestina Convoy Leaves UK on 14th Feb

The Viva Palestina aid convoy, initiated by George Galloway MP and supported by many organisations, including Stop the War, leaves Britain on 14 February, taking the message "We will not look away from Gaza" through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria,Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, before reaching Gaza around 9th March.
The convoy will bring clothes, medicines and other essential resources to Gaza. There are 32 vehicles pledged so far, including six ambulances. The response has been so high in London that all the vehicles are now filled with donated aid. Aid collections are still taking place outside London and supporters are also encouraged to make donations For fulldetails of the Viva Palestina convoy and how you can contribute, go to: http://www.vivapalestina.org/

Israeli Colonel Flees Britain Fearing Arrest

An Israeli colonel involved in Israel's attack on Gaza returned to Israel in haste last week, fearing arrest on charges of war crimes during a visit to the UK. A meeting at which he was due to speak - apparently to justify Israel's mass slaughter of civilians in Gaza was cancelled due to a demonstration outside demanding that he be arrested.
A loophole in British law allows private criminal complaints of war crimes to be lodged against military personnel, even ifthey are not British citizens and the alleged crimes were committed elsewhere. Israel is working with the British government to change the law.

READ ARTICLE: http://tinyurl.com/cly8o2

Manchester and Strathclyde Universities now occupied in solidarity with Gaza!

Over 150 Manchester University students are occupying the main university administration building and are demanding a stronger and more proactive position from the university regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The peaceful occupation is planned to continue for as long as it takes to achieve its demands, and promises to welcome high profile speakers during the week.
Please see their blog for a list of their demands, further and up to date information: http://manunioccupation.wordpress.com/

Students at Strathclyde University in Glasgow have occupied the main administration building, McCance Building, in solidarity with the people of Gaza. The occupation followed a 'march for Gaza' and despite ugly and heavy handed attempts by university security to break up the march, the students remain strong and refuse to leave the McCance building until their demands are met by the university management.
Please see their website for a list of their demands, further and up to date information:
http://pulsemedia.org/2009/02/04/strathclyde-university-occupied-by-students/

Yours in solidarity Manchester and Strathclyde!

Blog moderation

Unfortunately, due to racist and sexist remarks left on this blog site, we have had to moderate comments. Sheffield Hallam University Occupation and the Sheffield Hallam Free Gaza Movement welcomes healthy debate but does not tolerate discrimination and prejudice.

Get your MP to support the occupations

No mention of Sheff Hallam but great news!

Directly copied from the Stop the War Coalition website http://stopwar.org.uk/index.php?option=com_newsfeeds&task=view&feedid=35&Itemid=230

The following motion has been submitted to the house of commons, please make sure that you ask your MP to sign it in support of the occupations across the country. Contact them at http://www.writetothem.com/

The following parliamentary motion has been tabled:

EDM 626 STUDENT OCCUPATIONS 28.01.2009 McDonnell, John 2 signatures
Corbyn, Jeremy

That this House praises the wave of student occupations across the country against Israel's unlawful invasion and bombing of Gaza; regrets that an estimated thousand Palestinians have been killed as a direct result of the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza with many more people injured and suffering ongoing hardship; and welcomes the engagement of young people in protesting against the unfolding human tragedy in Gaza by taking direct action at numerous institutions including Cambridge University, Essex University, Kings College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford University, Queen Mary University London and Sussex University.

Regards Nicolette Petersen

Office of Jeremy Corbyn MP

Email for the SHU Vice Chancellor Phillip Jones

In response to the numerous queries we have had about how people can voice their sentiments to the university management, we suggest that people contact the university either through:

- Calling the university switchboard directly on 0114 225 5555,

- Sending an email to the following:

Vice Chancellor's PA: FAO Phillip Jones r.vyse@shu.ac.uk

Secretary's PA: FAO Liz Winders l.c.taylor@shu.ac.uk

In order that we can verify numbers of people registering complaints/sentiments should the University prove unwilling to divulge this information, you may CC or BCC your message to makeyourvoiceheardsheffhallam@googlemail.com, though there is no obligation to do so.

Front page Indymedia article from 30th Jan

https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/2009/01/420685.html

Press release

Following the eviction of peaceful protestors from Sheffield Hallam University by the police on Thursday 29th January, the Hallam Free Gaza Movement, supported by the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, is holding a public meeting on Wednesday 4th February, 7pm at Quaker Meeting House, St James Street. The speakers will be Stuart Halforty and Maxine Bowler from the Stop the War Coalition. The meeting will discuss the current situation in Gaza and the national wave of student occupations in response to Israel's actions. It will also be discussing the current victimization of student campaigners at Sheffield Hallam University including the suspension of students for leafletting about Gaza and the refusal of university management to allow the Free Gaza Movement to hold meetings on campus.

PUBLIC MEETING

PUBLIC MEETING:

Gaza and the student occupations.

7pm this Wedenesday (4th Feb) at the Quaker Meeting House, James Street, Sheffield (by the cathedral).

Speakers are Stuart Halforty (stop the war national organiser) and Maxine Bowler (Sheffield StWC).

All welcome.

PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting shall be held on Wednesday 4th February regarding Gaza, the student occupations and asking where to go next.Venue and time tbc

Protest against the victimisation of students and an uncompromising uni followed by meeting

A protest was held outside the Owen Building against the victimisation of students taking part in the occupation and the fact that the university has been uncompromising in meeting our demands.

Following the protest a meeting was held at the cafe at Furnival building. Speakers at the meeting included John Rees who delivered a talk on Palestine and a message of solidarity from the Stop The War Coalition. There were about 30 attendees, compared with 5 at our initial meeting! This only shows that the momentum in this struggle has gathered pace during and since the occupation.

The meeting was interupted several times by security staff trying to eject us from the cafe. We moved to another seating area only to be told we were not allowed to hold the meeting at Furnival Building by management. The meeting went ahead in defiance.

We decided to organise a public meeting on Wednesday 4th February regarding Gaza, the student occupations and asking where to go next.Venue and time tbc.

Sheffield Telegraph Article

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news2/Students39-sitin-over-Gaza-protest.4927496.jp

Sheffield Indymedia Article

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/2009/01/420685.html

"Hallam Gaza sit-in ends" article in The Star

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Hallam-Gaza-sitin-ends.4930130.jp

End of occupation and suspension of students involved

Having left the room after intimidation and complete lack of negotiation by management, outright hostility to our demands and threat of arrests by police, we left.
Having agreed to leave peacefully (in accordance with our exclusively peaceful protest) we were assured by the Univeristy Management that students taking part in the occupation would face no repercussions.
Today we find that many students were told that due to their taking part in the occupation, they are to be suspended from the university; effectively not being able to take part in lectures, examinations and their learning!

Statement sent to management on Thursday evening

We started this occupation with the intention of securing practical improvements for Palestinians in Gaza. For this purpose we provided six demands, four of which related specifically to Gaza.At this time you have not met any of those demands, except to provide a statement that bears no true relevance to the situation in Palestine.For this reason we have made the decision to remain in occupation until we feel - as a collective - that these demands are met to our satisfaction through mutual negotiations.We have been in regular and are in continuous communication with numerous media outlets. These include ITV, Radio Sheffield, Sheffield Telegraph, The Star, Hallam FM, Rotherham FM and Indymedia who are all fully aware of the current situation.We look forward to constructive and productive negotiations tomorrow morning as per your statement.

Join the Free Gaza Movement

Tommorrow we will be leafleting from 12:00 at the heartspace cafe (Owen level two), the meeting will be at five (back in 1037).

Students' sit-in over Gaza protest

This is a direct copy of the article released on The Star website:

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Students39-sitin-over-Gaza-protest.4927496.jp

Published Date: 29 January 2009
By Mike Russell
STUDENTS are staging a sit-in at Sheffield Hallam University as part of a national protest against Israel's invasion of Gaza.

The protesters have occupied rooms on the tenth floor of the Owen building in the city centre, with 20 staying on the premises over night. Similar occupations are taking place at other universities around the country.

The students want the university to condemn the attacks on Gaza, and provide scholarships for Gazan students. They also want Hallam to twin itself with the University of Gaza, sending old books, computers and other equipment there.

The protesters also want the university to waive all current application and tuition fees for Palestinian students.

"We intend to stay here until our demands are met," said spokesman Matthew Vickary, aged 22.

"We are still negotiating with the university and we are not seeking to disrupt the university's activities. We are protesting as a gesture of solidarity with the Gazan people and we want to help students there. "

Their university has been blown up and their education severely disrupted. We are wanting the university to provide them with simple practical help."

A Hallam spokesman said the university supported the students' right to peaceful protest, but with that right came responsibility.

"The safety and security of staff, students and visitors is our priority, but the occupation has had no adverse effects on teaching. "We will continue to monitor the protest but we cannot respond to the demands as these are political issues and Hallam is a non-political organisation," he added.

Threats of Eviction (cont...)

It is past the nine o'clock deadline and we are still here!!!

We have been repeatedly threatened with police action but have decided that we are going to stay despite this.

Management continue to delay and employ intimidating tactics against occupying students and workers

Check Indymedia.org.uk for future updates.

Threats of Eviction

A quick update on the situation.

We have been told by the University administration that they want us to leave at 9pm this evening and will involve the police if we refuse to leave.

They have refused all of our demands, and specifically refused to grant an amnesty to all participants. At this time we do not know what this means as far as consequences brought by the university against Hallam students.

The group will be making our decision on whether we will continue the occupation closer to the time.

First night stay and mid-morning negotiations

After a "comfortable" night nestled on the tenth floor, negotiations have begun.

Management have not caved in yet, and despite the fact we told them they could use the room for lectures they have relocated all room bookings.

The large banner displayed on the side of the building has attracted the attention of the public and a couple of photographers. We have released the previous press statement to as many local journalists as we can.

We have two events planned for today and have begun to publicise for them.

• The first is a teach-in at 15:00, with a Hallam Academic discussing the parallels between South Africa's apartheid state and the situation in Palestine.
• This will be followed by a screening of the film La Haine at 18:00.

We have received several messages of support, amongst them are:

• Sheffield Trade Council
• South Yorkshire UCU
• Sheffield Stop the War Coalition
• Rotheram Stop the War Coalition
• Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign
• Bradford University Occupation
• SOAS Occupation
• Oxford Occupation
• Nottingham Occupation
• South Yorkshire NUJ
• Occupation.org

Peace,

The Hallam occupiers x

Press Statement from Hallam University Occupation.

With the success of occupations throughout the UK, Sheffield Hallam students and workers from around the city voted to occupy the tenth floor of the Owen building. This is to make practical demands of the university in solidarity with Palestinians and to condemn the actions of the Israeli state.

The following demands were democratically agreed upon:

1) Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) to release a statement of condemnation of the Israeli state’s attacks on Gaza

2) SHU to provide scholarships for Gazan students and waive all current applications and tuition fees for Palestinian students.

3) SHU to twin with the University of Gaza, sending old books, computers and other equipment to the University of Gaza.

4) The ban on flyering and posters on campus to be lifted immediately allowing students to organise and allow free speech, in line with the University's current no-platform policy against fascists.

5) To have posters advertising the details for the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Appeal on all notice boards around the university.

6) No victimisation of students or staff supporting the occupation in any form.

We ask people to support our peaceful protest. We welcome messages of solidarity and encourage anyone who wishes to join the occupation to do so.