Student Occupation at Goldsmiths University

As of the 12th of March, a body of students have been occupying Goldsmith University’s Deptford Town Hall. According to the protestors’ manifesto, action began after a candidate in the Student Union elections had their posters and banners “ripped apart” and defaced with “racist graffiti which mocked their accent”. Reported as a hate crime by the candidate Hamna Imran, anger amongst those involved was enhanced by the alleged inaction of the university in response to the incident. Demonstrators have demanded the introduction of an “institution-wide strategic plan on how the university plans to tackle racism”. Alongside this, the students want the removal of four statues of “known colonisers”, and support employees such as cleaners and security to be introduced as “in-house” Goldsmiths staff.

Refusing to end the occupation until their demands are met with clear, concrete commitments from the Senior Management of the university, the students remain impassioned by their cause as it reaches its 25th day. Making up 40% of the population of Goldsmiths, black, Asian and minority ethic (BAME), the events which unfolded during the most recent SU elections have personally affected a large proportion of the student body. The University of Manchester Students’ Union has pledged its support for the London students. In their statement they have stated that the “The University’s actions have only proven the need for such an occupation, and we stand in full solidarity of our siblings in occupation”.

These sentiments were echoed by QUBSU’s Equality and Diversity officer, Hamsavani Rajeswaren.

“The occupation in London, is an example of how far gone our institutions are in terms of racism - overt and covert – and closing their eyes to systemic, institutional racism”. Going further to state that Goldsmith’s University are “complicit in its legacies of racism, slavery and colonialism” until it addresses the occupiers demands. The BAME officer at QUBSU, Anirudh Sawhney, commented that the “protest is very important, as London is a global city with a large minority ethic student population.”

The university has yet to accept the occupier’s demands. Therefore, the question remains: how long will the occupation last? And, with everyday that passes, who stands to benefit most from this protest?