Dear Lecturers,
We are occupying the Lady Mitchell Hall in opposition to the White Paper on Higher Education, and in support of the strike on November 30th and the worldwide Occupy movement. We invite you to hold your lectures in the Hall as normal. Furthermore we intend to use the space to show our Idea of the University and open it up for free lectures, workshops and discussions to which you are very welcome.
Regards,
Cambridge Defend Education
On behalf of London Metropolitan University UCU, and as a UCU National Executive Committee member representing London and the East, which includes Cambridge, I want to send solidarity greetings and congratulations on your effective protest tonight against David Willetts and the devastation he intends to visit across post-16 education provision.
Like you, we believe in a state-funded free publicly provided education system from the cradle to the grave. And we further believe it is the duty of all those that value universities as vehicles for social and public good to stand up, resist, and be counted. You are doing precisely that and we salute you.
On the 30th November, as you will know, some three million trade unionists will be taking strike action not just to defend our pensions, but to shout out for our public services and those that work for them or use them. We are the 99% and we will not allow the 1%, whose interests Willetts serves, to make us pay through the destruction of our public services for their crisis.
As Shelley so memorably said after the Peterloo massacre:
‘Rise like lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number -
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you -
Ye are many – They are few’
On the the 30th the 1% will hear us roar! Your actions tonight, is another important step towards that moment.
In solidarity
Mark Campbell
London Met UCU (Chair)
UCU NEC (London and the East HE)
http://flammaepulchritudine.blogspot.com/2011/11/cambridge-surprise-david-willetts.html
Pingback: LIVE BLOG of the November 23rd Day of Action — National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts
Hi,
I would like to thank you for your action. I have grand children who’s education is under threat and your stand, along with others in occupation, is at the forefront of the fight to resist these ideological attacks. I wish you every success because a victory for you will be a victory for the 99%. I will be out on strike on 30th and hope we can support each other as your fight is our fight.
in solidarity Lee
Pingback: I am Spark-ticus! – Street battles in Egypt, occupations everywhere else. | Cautiously pessimistic
Greetings! Wishing you fiery hearts – and cool minds… Here is a new Cambridge web site – not only for students:
http://www.rainbow-cambridge.org.uk/events/occupy-cambridge-uk.htm – and a new Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/camocc/ – good timing.
I suggest we co-operate re. events and information.
I’d be happy to come to Lady Mitchell Hall and say some inspiring (hopefully) words. Alternatively, especially when you’ve had enough of listening to talks: get up and sing and dance with me! => http://www.rainbow-cambridge.org.uk/dances/
Regards, Ralph
The had predicted agevare tuition fees of 7 500 but has just announced that its will have to pay 9 000 Durham is the fifth to announce that it will charge the maximum tuition fees. Photograph Corbis Durham University plans to charge 9 000 tuition fees from next year the maximum allowed.
Good on yous! It’s great to see Cambridge leading the way this time round. Together you are a strong group with several occupations’ experience behind you – go get ‘em!
Even in my remote village of 600 people, there will be teachers out on strike next Wednesday. The winds of change are blowing, and you will be speaking for more and more people each day.
Solidarity from an ex-student in Northern Ireland.