A new dawn rises...

Hello all,

After a somewhat tiring but productive first night in occupation we're now firing on all cylinders! People are out and about on the various campuses spreading the word about the occupation and promoting the meeting and film screening we've got planned for tonight.

It hasn't all been plain sailing though; we've had a couple of run ins with UWE's not so lovely security guards who almost seem intent on shutting this occupation down. Firstly last night we were locked out of lecture theatre 2B25, so we took the decision to occupy the large atrium area outside the room. We were then greeted this morning by security informing us that if we didn't move they'd call the police in to remove us (a somewhat draconian measure I'm sure you'll agree). After a quick meeting to decide the best course of action three of us headed down to security services offices to have a quick chat and we eventually came to an agreement that this is between the university and us (although security still seem unhappy about our presence, maybe if we offered them a cup of tea they might start to like us more?!). Anyhow not much else has happened since but stay tuned for updates.

PRESS STATEMENT.

UWE STUDENTS SOLIDARITY WITH GAZA CAMPAIGN


In a gesture of solidarity with the people of Gaza, Students of the University of the West of England, Bristol, have passed a motion of support for the people of Gaza and are currently engaging in a peaceful occupation of a space within the University. We will as a group not be engaging in any efforts to disrupt the education of our fellow students at UWE

This is following the recent atrocities that have and continue to take place in the Gaza Strip & occupation of the West Bank. We as students ourselves wish to offer our unity and support to our fellow students in the region during these hard times. We have proposed a set of demands of the University including scholarships for Palestinian students, a boycotting of Israeli goods, support for fundraising for DEC, and a condemnation of Israeli Actions in the region.

This Israeli assault on Gaza has claimed more than 1,300 lives and injured thousands. Over a third of these victims were women and children. Tens of thousands have been left homeless without food and clean water. Israel bombed the Islamic University in Gaza City crippling the educational establishment of the region. This has been perpetuated by the blockades of medical and humanitarian aid. Israel stand accused of using illegal chemical weapons such as white phosphorus and cluster bombs against civilians and children.

We are concerned with the universities lack of action on the matter and their complicity to condemn Israeli actions, and failures to support Palestinian civil society groups in their call for a campaign of boycotts, disinvestments, and sanctions against Israeli apartheid.

We have set out demands below and will not leave the occupied space of the University of the West of England, Bristol until the demands have been answered and satisfied.

DEMANDS

We demand that the University break all links with companies which supply arms and other services to the Israeli state and IDAF. In order to do this the university should:
Issue a statement condemning the presence of Raytheon on Bristol Business Park, a university joint venture
Conduct a joint audit with the Students Union to identify all investments and business link s and agree a strategy for disinvestment.

In view of the difficulty faced by students in both Gaza and the West Bank, we as students in the UK demand that the university takes steps to provide scholarships to Palestinian students and Israeli students victimised for concentious objection by not joining the IDF as a gesture of solidarity and goodwill. An ongoing commitment should be made to facilitate the higher education of the Palestinian people.

We demand that the management of the university should issue a statement condemning the Israeli bombing of Gaza educational establishments.

University to publicise DEC advert in any way possible (including banner on the website) and put pressure on the BBC and sky to show the DEC advert.

· Support a day of fundraising across campus with the proceeds going to the DEC Gaza appeal.

Immediate boycott and halt to buying any university supplies & equipment from Israeli companies.

To send a public message of solidarity to the Islamic University in Gaza, whose campus has been virtually destroyed, and publish it on the university website and distribute it to the university wide e-mail addresses.

No victimisation for those taking part in the Occupation, and free movement in and out of the occupied spaced.