Tony Benn endorses LSE occupation as key demands are met
LSEoccupation | 18.01.2009 20:58 | University Occupations for Gaza | Education | Repression | Social Struggles | World
About 40 students have occupied a lecture theatre in the London School of Economics on Thursday 15th January. Since then, our numbers have doubled. They have six demands for the school and are in discussion with the administration now.
Students occupying a lecture theatre at the London School of Economics have announced that the University has agreed to waiver application fees from potential students from Palestine.
The university administration has also agreed to help students send money and surplus LSE computers and library books to Palestine and work towards setting up more scholarships for Palestinians.
The group has planned a day of lectures and rallies for Tuesday to put pressure on the School to issue a statement condemning the Israeli attacks on academic institutions in Gaza, divest from arms firms that supply Israel and finalise the details of its pledges.
George Galloway MP and Dan Gudelson of Jews for Justice are among those who will speak at the occupied theatre.
A spokesperson said, “We are asking for a simple statement condemning the attacks on educational institutions in Gaza. For years we have been going through official channels to demand action on Palestine, but nothing has happened – this is our last resort and we will stay in the Old Theatre until our remaining demands are met.”
The students have arranged a meeting with top LSE officials to take place on Tuesday in the occupied theatre to discuss the implementation of their demands.
40 students started the occupation in solidarity with Palestine last Thursday afternoon after LSE Director Howard Davies failed to meet any requests sent in a letter signed by 250 students and alumni immediately after the start of the Israeli offence against Gaza. The move comes after the Students’ Union voted to condemn Israel for the attacks on Gaza.
The number of occupiers has since doubled, with dozens more visiting regularly to express their solidarity. The group has received messages of support from students in universities across the world as well as academics, NGOs and politicians.
Tony Benn came to speak at the occupied lecture theatre on Friday, drawing a crowd of over 350 students. “I have seen the statement of intent that you have made and I agree with it one hundred percent.” he said, “Don't think that you're an isolated little group at the LSE. In my judgement I believe there is mass support for what you are doing from all over the world.”
The LSE is the second university after SOAS whose students have occupied a building in solidarity with Palestine. On Friday, 50 Essex students occupied one of their lecture theatres. At least three more universities are to join next week, whose identities are being kept secret.
DEMANDS AND PROGRESS:
1) The LSE should issue a statement condemning Israel’s attack on Palestinians’ right to education. Howard Davies has already agreed to issue a statement in a personal capacity condemning the humanitarian disaster.
2) The LSE must divest from BAe and other arms companies who supply the Israeli military. Unfortunately, the administration’s responses to this demand have been inconsistent.
3) Provide 5 new scholarships to Palestinians. Some progress has been made on this issue. However, in his latest response, Howard Davies has attempted to backtrack by obfuscating the matter.
4) Actively support a fundraising day. Davies has agreed to this in principle, but concrete plans are yet to emerge.
5) Send all surplus and old books and computers to educational institutions in Palestine. Howard Davies has commendably agreed to this demand. We have yet to receive written confirmation that the university will cover the costs of shipping.
6) Amnesty for all students, which has been granted. Howard Davies himself has said that we “held scrupulously” to our pledge that no damage and no disruption to lectures would happen.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1) Please view our previous press release for more information.
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/press-release.html .
2) The identity of other universities who will start occupations is being kept secret. Contact us:
lseoccupation@googlemail.com
3) For more information on the SOAS occupation: http://soassolidarity4gaza.blogspot.com/
4) For more information on the Essex occupation: http://www.visitpalestine.asia/page.cfm/id/98207
5) For the motion on Gaza passed by the Students’ Union: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/student-union-passes-motion-condemning.html
The university administration has also agreed to help students send money and surplus LSE computers and library books to Palestine and work towards setting up more scholarships for Palestinians.
The group has planned a day of lectures and rallies for Tuesday to put pressure on the School to issue a statement condemning the Israeli attacks on academic institutions in Gaza, divest from arms firms that supply Israel and finalise the details of its pledges.
George Galloway MP and Dan Gudelson of Jews for Justice are among those who will speak at the occupied theatre.
A spokesperson said, “We are asking for a simple statement condemning the attacks on educational institutions in Gaza. For years we have been going through official channels to demand action on Palestine, but nothing has happened – this is our last resort and we will stay in the Old Theatre until our remaining demands are met.”
The students have arranged a meeting with top LSE officials to take place on Tuesday in the occupied theatre to discuss the implementation of their demands.
40 students started the occupation in solidarity with Palestine last Thursday afternoon after LSE Director Howard Davies failed to meet any requests sent in a letter signed by 250 students and alumni immediately after the start of the Israeli offence against Gaza. The move comes after the Students’ Union voted to condemn Israel for the attacks on Gaza.
The number of occupiers has since doubled, with dozens more visiting regularly to express their solidarity. The group has received messages of support from students in universities across the world as well as academics, NGOs and politicians.
Tony Benn came to speak at the occupied lecture theatre on Friday, drawing a crowd of over 350 students. “I have seen the statement of intent that you have made and I agree with it one hundred percent.” he said, “Don't think that you're an isolated little group at the LSE. In my judgement I believe there is mass support for what you are doing from all over the world.”
The LSE is the second university after SOAS whose students have occupied a building in solidarity with Palestine. On Friday, 50 Essex students occupied one of their lecture theatres. At least three more universities are to join next week, whose identities are being kept secret.
DEMANDS AND PROGRESS:
1) The LSE should issue a statement condemning Israel’s attack on Palestinians’ right to education. Howard Davies has already agreed to issue a statement in a personal capacity condemning the humanitarian disaster.
2) The LSE must divest from BAe and other arms companies who supply the Israeli military. Unfortunately, the administration’s responses to this demand have been inconsistent.
3) Provide 5 new scholarships to Palestinians. Some progress has been made on this issue. However, in his latest response, Howard Davies has attempted to backtrack by obfuscating the matter.
4) Actively support a fundraising day. Davies has agreed to this in principle, but concrete plans are yet to emerge.
5) Send all surplus and old books and computers to educational institutions in Palestine. Howard Davies has commendably agreed to this demand. We have yet to receive written confirmation that the university will cover the costs of shipping.
6) Amnesty for all students, which has been granted. Howard Davies himself has said that we “held scrupulously” to our pledge that no damage and no disruption to lectures would happen.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1) Please view our previous press release for more information.
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/press-release.html . 2) The identity of other universities who will start occupations is being kept secret. Contact us:
lseoccupation@googlemail.com 3) For more information on the SOAS occupation:
http://soassolidarity4gaza.blogspot.com/ 4) For more information on the Essex occupation:
http://www.visitpalestine.asia/page.cfm/id/98207 5) For the motion on Gaza passed by the Students’ Union:
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/student-union-passes-motion-condemning.html
LSEoccupation
e-mail:
lseoccupation@googlemail.com
Homepage:
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com
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Great, Galloway & Benn speaking!
19.01.2009 09:01
@narchist
Unjustified Removal of Campaign for Truth & Justice Postings from Indymedia
19.01.2009 09:49
removed.
There is no justification for this and as a consequence have reproduced the
material and posted it for all to see.
Maybe if there is any thing untrue or derogatory contained within, somebody
can point it out.
Author: A. Balogun
Position: Campaign Co-ordinator
Organization: Campaign For Truth & Justice
Website:
E-mail:
The posting was as follow:
No Lawbreaker can be a Law Enforcer!
The judiciary of England & Wales is guilty of the most severe perversion of
justice imaginable and have been aided and abetted by other Public
Authorities, Media Organizations, Downing Street and several Members of
Parliament.
In an attempt to cover-up the death and circumstances leading up to the
death of a 14 month old baby, the judiciary have engaged in the criminal act
of false imprisonment and attempts to section and silence the victim of
their criminality.
Subjected to many years of abuse and violations of his rights guaranteed by
law at the hands of the Metropolitan Police Force and the Judiciary, the
father of the baby (Mr. Caul Grant) acting under duress and self defence
(when all the abuse became too much) imported 45 Kilos of Cannabis into the
UK, in hope he could bring the issues before twelve ordinary members of the
public.
However, at his trial in December 2003, the trial judge, Judge Pratt
deliberately misdirected the jury by telling them that Mr. Grant's motives
were completely irrelevant and that "there is no defence of justification in
English law". This is despite the fact that the Defence of Justification
(Lawful Excuse) had been successfully used before in the UK by Greenpeace
activist as far back as 1999.
More contradictory is the fact that in September 2008, at Maidstone Crown
Court, the jury cleared six Greenpeace activist using the same defence of
Justification again (See Micheal McCarthy, Environment Editor, Independent
11/09/2008).
Even more alarming, Judge Pratt further went on to tell the jury, that if
they acquit Mr. Grant "no other court or jury could stop him or convict him
of anything".
Now Mr. Caul Grant, has remained unlawfully locked up in prison for over
five years without having had the right of appeal against being wrongfully
convicted for the importation of 45 Kilos of Cannabis.
He is now being detained for a further 18 months for not being able to pay a
confiscation order in the sum of £85,000.00.
The judiciary has become judges in its own cause and therefore can not offer
the necessary level of fairness, impartiality and independence for justice
to be done. Until or unless issues of judicial lawbreaking and corruption
are resolved and judicial integrity restored, beyond a reasonable doubt, all
matters conducted before the judiciary of England and Wales, whether civil
or criminal, will be unlawful, because a lawbreaker cannot be a law
enforcer.
A. Balogun
e-mail:
info@ctjnet.co.uk
Homepage:
http://www.ctjnet.co.uk
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