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

[Jim Dog]

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I have no objection to this being put up sooner than usual 24 hrs

Solidarity,
JimDog*

Mike D wrote:
> I have no problem with this.
> 
> 
> Mike
> 
>> 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>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Indymedia United Kollektives editorial mid-column features
>> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-uk-features
>>
> 
> 
> --
> Indymedia United Kollektives editorial mid-column features
> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-uk-features

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