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

[Mike D]

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
>