[IMC-UK-Features] feature proposal: soas occupation

[Shiar]

I'd like to break the 24-hour rule and publish it before the rally at
4:30pm tomorrow if that's ok with people. I don't think there is anything
controversial in it that risks bypassing people's concerns.

Cheers,

-- 
Shiar


Title: SOAS occupied in protest at cleaners immigration raid

Author: imc-uk-features

image: /images/2009/06/432334.jpg

Abstract:
<p>
Students and staff at the University of London's School of Oriental and
African Studies (SOAS), along with anti-deportation campaigners, have <a
href="/en/2009/06/432303.html">occupied the School's main building</a> in
protest at the management's and immigration authorities' attack on migrant
workers at the School. Nine cleaners were detained on Friday, 12th June,
in an <a href="/en/2009/06/432151.html">orchestrated dawn raid</a> in
which the management and cleaning contractor ISS reportedly played a
'sickening' role [<a
href="http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/1589">details</a>].
</p><p>
Five of the nine have already been deported, with the others held in
detention pending their deportation. A well-attended <a
href="/en/2009/06/432326.html">rally</a> was held yesterday outside the
building [<a
href="http://freesoascleaners.blogspot.com/2009/06/photos-again.html">pictures</a>].
Another is planned today at 4:30pm.
</p><p>
Campaigners believe the raid was the management's "revenge" against the
cleaners' successful campaign, Justice for Cleaners, which saw the
cleaners winning the London living wage and trade union representation.
</p><p>
<strong>Links:</strong> <a
href="http://freesoascleaners.blogspot.com">Occupation's blog</a> | <a
href=""></a> | the <a
href="http://www.soasunion.org/pages/campaigns/justice_for_cleaners_campaign.html">Justice
for Cleaners campaign</a> | <a
href="http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/1599">London Indymedia
feature</a> | <a href="/en/2009/06/432219.html">Shouldn't the SOAS raid be
the beggining of a campaing against subcontracting?</a>

Content:
<p>
The occupiers have issued a <a
href="/en/2009/06/432303.html?c=on#c225924">list of demands</a> to the
SOAS management, which included:
1. We call on the directorate to request the secretary of state to
immediately release the detainees and to prevent the deportation of the
three cleaners who are still in detention in the UK.
2. For the directorate to release a public statement condemning what has
happened to the SOAS cleaners and calling for their immediate release and
return.
3. To campaign for the return of the cleaners who have already been deported.
4. To bring all contract staff in house. SOAS should not use contractors,
ISS or others.
5. To keep immigration officers from entering campus under ANY
circumstances or other forms of collaboration with immigration or police.
Universities are for education not for state violence and oppression.
6. A year's wage as reparations for all detained and deported staff.
7. To hold accountable SOAS managers who were complicit in facilitating
the raid and detention of the cleaners, refusing to aid a sick worker and
a pregnant woman.
8. To reinstate Jose Stalin Bermudez, the SOAS UNISON branch chair.
9. To respect the right to organise in trade unions unimpeded.
10. To provide space and resources for a public meeting to build support
for the SOAS 9 and other migrants, in education and beyond, affected by
immigration control and racism.
11. Amnesty for all those involved.
</p>