Leeds Met University (LMU) People and Planet Society were shocked to hear about the arrest of Michael Chessum (SU President of University of London) last Thursday 14th November. This is one of many recent threats to student protest across the UK.
Student’s must have the right to protest
It appears that Chessum was arrested for organizing a protest against the University of London management’s forced take over of the SU. Thousands of students are demanding the Union remain student-led and the response from both the University and the police has been incredibly heavy-handed.
Though Chessum has now been released, we write to oppose the police’s behaviour and indeed treatment of peaceful protesters in the UK today.
We condemn the charges brought against Chessum and ask for his highly restrictive bail conditions – preventing him from engaging with any protest – to be removed.
We agree with University of York Students who state: “This is particularly chilling given news from the Guardian that revealed police in Cambridge have been attempting to recruit students as informants to spy on student union activities, and the activities of student environmental and anti-cuts groups.
This follows a number of recent crackdowns on student demonstrations and a worrying increase in collusion between the police and our institutions. This includes the recent arrest of ULU Vice President Daniel Cooper for challenging the police stop-and-search policy, the arrest of two Edinburgh students for being on campus and nearby Princess Anne without permission, and the heavy-handed and violent police response to student chalking. Moreover, new legislation is currently being passed to further curtail protests that ‘disturb local residents’ – effectively crushing freedom of assembly at any point it is deemed a ‘nuisance’ by the police.
At this time of police repression and the withering of our democratic rights it is vital that students stand firm to defend these rights. We demand the right to protest when, where and how we see fit. We demand the right move freely through our campuses. We demand the right to organise autonomously, free from management interference”.
Please feel free to adapt this statement for your uni and join us in condemning this threat to student activism.To add your name to this statement email lmupandp@gmail.com.
Signed:
Glen Jankowski, Campaigns Officer of LMU People and Planet Society
Josiah Mortimer, National Young Greens Committee
Joceleyn Murtell, LMU PhD Candidate
Georgia Gwynne, Chair of LMU People and Planet Society
Emma Jaynes, Events Officer of LMU People and Planet Society
Emma Carter, Publicity Officer of LMU People and Planet Society
Leeds Met People and Planet Society 