I have been reading in the Guardian that the student movement in Uk is growing and holding sit-ins over the gaza situation. These students are protesting against the devastating acts in Gaza. I imagine we are not as informed as they are since this is not the case here yet. But we will get there and I hope the US students take note. I applaud all students when they start to take action on behalf of people who are opressed. I did it in my college days around South Africa. currently, as of today, I know 16 universities involved. These students are drawing from a proud tradition of protesting and mobilizing against injustices around the world. This includes 1960's sit-ins here demanding civil rights for blacks, also against South African Regime and its Aparthied laws and in the 80s after Tiananmen Square massacre in China.
It started at the school of Oriental and African Studies a week ago and spread to 16 schools like a wild fire. Some already met some of their demands of asking their universities to give scholarchips to Palestinians.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/...
A group of 15 students are sitting at the back of the lecture theatre. Some are wearing scarves associated with the Palestinian movement, others hold the Palestinian flag. They are silent, apart from the few words one of them utters at the beginning of the lecture explaining why they are there: as part of a symbolic silent protest to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.
On the walls are photos of the conflict, showing men carrying blood-splattered children and posters calling for the massacre in Gaza to stop. In the corner of the room is a pile of sleeping bags and a table stacked with bottled water and cartons of fruit juice.
In Oxford, http://www.indymedia.org.uk/...
In the first week of term, over 80 Oxford University students have occupied the historic Bodleian building to demand that the university releases a statement condemning the attack on Gaza and cancel the lecture series at Balliol College inaugurated by Shimon Peres.
And what are some of their demands, here:
The group represents a broad spectrum of concerned students and has the support of peace campaigners here in Oxford. They want the University Proctor to express solidarity with Palestinian academic community and condemning the attack on the educational infrastructure.
Palestinians have the same rights as we do, including the right to education as enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights. We are proud to be students at Oxford University and do not want the University to contribute in any way to the undermining of the right to education. It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity," a spokesperson said.
And just in case you are wondering, Jewish student are also part of this movement
A handful of Jewish students are involved in the protest, including Englert. "I don't want to make a big thing about it," he says, "but Israel doesn't speak for the world's Jewish community."
So far, some of them are claiming victory:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/...
So far, four of the occupying student groups have claimed victory: at the School of Oriental and African Studies and the University of Essex (after two days), and at Oxford (after just 10 hours), and the LSE. At the LSE, the student sit-in lasted a week but ended peacefully when the director, Sir Howard Davies, agreed to meet most of the students' demands.
Michael Deas, a third-year environmental policy student involved in the LSE occupation, said students were "delighted" with the outcome. "It's a real victory for student activism, particularly forcing the director into making a statement," he said. Police evicted protesting students at the University of Birmingham after 12 hours.