Hundreds of students at Warwick gathered outside the University’s Senate House yesterday to express their anger about police response to student protests. Students also occupied a university space in order to have an open dialogue about the events on Wednesday 3 December.
On Wednesday a group of students at the University of Warwick staged a peaceful sit-in at Senate House as part of a national day of action in support of free education, called by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts.
Police have said that they were called to the University by security services after a member of staff was assaulted by a protester. Three men were later arrested – one on suspicion of assault, and two on suspicion of obstructing the police; they have since been bailed, but their bail conditions state that they are not allowed to return to campus. This version of events is contested by some of the students who were present; speaking to Channel 4 News, Callum Cant, a 20-year-old English student, said, “it’s utterly unbelievable to suggest that [a protester assaulted a member of staff]. It just wouldn’t fit with how the day panned out… It wasn’t really an occupation because we weren’t blocking anything. We spent 20 or 30 minutes talking with security. Then police cars turned up and security told us they were for us.”
Footage has emerged on social media showing police clashing with protesters; a police officer is seen wielding a can of CS spray, which was used on at least two students. West Midlands Police have confirmed that a taser gun was drawn, but not used on any protester.
West Midlands police have issued a statement in response to allegations of excessive use of force on student protesters stating, “During the incident a taser was drawn as a visible and audible warning to prevent a further disorder. CS Spray was also used by police during the protest when a group advanced on officers. Police officers and security staff from the university worked together to ensure everyone was safe.”
Coventry Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Claire Bell, said in the same statement, “We are aware of videos of the protest being circulated on social media sites. We expect the highest standards from all officers, and if any officer is found to have fallen below these standards, they will be thoroughly investigated.”
In a statement the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Nigel Thrift, said, “Let me be clear that the police were called solely to investigate the alleged assault on a member of staff and not in response to the protest on campus. When the police arrived our security team still endeavoured to get the individual alleged to have made the assault to fully identify himself before the police engaged directly with the protestors.
“Sadly that individual, and others present, would not co-operate with this request and the police were obliged to intervene directly. I, like many others, have been saddened by the images of what then occurred which saw police and students having to engage in and resolve an unnecessarily challenging situation which led on from the actions of one individual.”
There has been an angry response from many on and off campus to the incident. A change.org petition started by Warwick alumni demanding an unreserved apology to students who faced ‘police violence’, a review of the University’s policy on police liason, and a guarantee of assistance from Warwick University for students who want to make complaints or take legal action against the police, has gathered over 2000 signatures.
Yesterday around 100 students occupied the top floor of the Rootes builing on Warwick Campus and issued demands to both the University of Warwick management and to the West Midlands police. Demands included an apology from the West Midlands police and for the University of Warwick to release a statement about the incidents which occurred in which they declare their total support to Warwick students.
Speaking to Cherwell from inside the occupation, Hattie Craig, a student from the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts who has been involved in organizing yesterday’s action, described the mood on campus, commenting, “The feeling on campus has been incredible. I was leafleting for the protest today but all the students were already aware and were pretty shocked and horrified at the way the police had dealt with the sit-in yesterday. It’s been great to see that there’s been a really strong response- there were over a thousand people out on campus today showing their support. Students thought that it was necessary to have a strong response to police brutality. We haven’t ever seen CS gas used at student protests in this country; we couldn’t let this go unnoticed. A hundred of us are currently staging an occupation and we will shortly be issuing demands to both West Midlands police and the University.”
Amnesty International has also voiced its concerns about the events with its UK Arms Control Director, Oliver Sprage, saying, “Videos of the incident and accounts from several eyewitnesses raise serious concerns about whether the police acted heavy-handedly and seriously endangered people at the scene.
“We’re worried that West Midlands Police are becoming increasingly trigger-happy with Tasers.”
Protests in solidarity with Warwick students have also been held at campuses around the country, including at Lancaster, Manchester, London and Leeds.
