images from outside

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

There is a need for the normal stuff to make an ocupation better, such as beding lots of, the floors are hard so we are told..

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.

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

Hallam Gaza sit-in ends



Date: 30 January 2009
A STUDENT sit-in at Sheffield Hallam University protesting against Israel's invasion of Gaza ended peacefully after police were called to the scene.
The protesters occupied rooms on the tenth floor of the Owen building in the city centre, with 20 staying on the premises the previous night.

The students want the university to condemn the attacks on Gaza and provide scholarships for Gazan students.

The occupation ended soon after the police arrived and Hallam say they will not be taking disciplinary action.