Here is a report and photos from Simon, a member of Communist Students at UEL.

The rolling wave of student occupations at universities across the country continued to spread last week, to the University of East London. Lindsey German had been invited by the student Stop the War Society to talk about Gaza. After the meeting a proposal was put forward to vote for occupation. A majority of the students, at the well attended meeting, voted in favor. To minimise the disruption the organisers moved to a smaller room. There were complaints on the usually quiet e-list. These comprised the usual reactionary statements and also complaints from students that their classes had been disrupted. However, the management have been surprisingly compliant in accommodating the students to minimise disruption to classes.

The main demands are for a statement from the university to issue a clear statement condemning the Israeli blockade of Gaza and to twin with the University of Gaza. After further talks with management of the university, an email was sent to the student negotiators to the effect that they agree with demands. But a firm commitment could not be given on the demand to give five Palestinian students scholarships funded by the university. This was not good enough for the around thirty students who attended a meeting last Tuesday who voted overwhelmingly to continue the occupation. The only issues appeared to be fatigue. After the vote it was decided to become more organized including sleeping and leafleting rotas.

The occupation has received the support of UCU Docklands Branch Committee, Noam Chomsky and coverage in the local newspaper. Donations have also been received to pay for food. Each evening there have been films and talks including John Rees and Jews for Justice for Palestine. It appears that the main organizers are members of the Socialist Workers Party student section and a few anarchists. They are also receiving the help of a non student and member of the the local Socialist Workers Party branch. As such there are the petitions, SWP newspapers and posters and unsubtle attempts to recruit new members to the organisation. It is frustrating watching this occupation as the dead hand of the SWP appears to be working within limits at the expense of being open, democratic and dynamic. Looking to the future there is a key meeting of the board of governors next Tuesday to make a decision over the occupation demands. To be continued…