Monday 24 January 2011

Message from a Leeds Trinity Student Occupier

Today, I had the pleasure of corresponding via Twitter with one of the Leeds Trinity Students Against Cuts Protesters, and this is what they had to say, I felt it best to let then speak for themselves:

I am a University of Leeds student and my university is used to being noticed, listened to and has quite a large number of students who are activists. I spent time in the Leeds uni occupation (which has now ended) so I have something to compare the LTUC occupation to.

I have been a frequent visitor to the LTUC occupation and have got to know the guys in there quite well. They have spent three weeks in there now and I think that considering their unique situation this is both impressive and inspiring. While I don't have anything negative to say about my university or it's occupation, activism is expected of them. Trinity on the other hand is a small and depoliticized university. I have seen them work 18 hour days, face apathy and receive negative comments from other students and despite this have stayed positive, united and determined that not all Trinity students will be the next generation of apathetic students. They have also been really motivated by all the messages of support they have received both nationally and internationally (once again, impressive for Trinity) and visitors such as unions, tutors, fellow students, family and friends who have all donated money and brought them food to keep them going. When all visitors have left at the end of the day, it is the positive support that is the conversation.
Like I say, I am inspired by these guys and only wish I had the energy and passion that they have for this campaign. They have made things happen that Trinity has never seen before, such as the first ever rally on campus and lots of media attention. As a few of the occupiers are first years, I am impressed by the maturity they have shown. That is not meant to be patronising, but it is their first time living away from home and they've sacrificed the usual fresher life of drinking, socialising and freedom to sleep on the floor on their university, work long hours, not shower and leave behind their flat mates, just to make their voices heard and be taken seriously. They have also dealt with any problems in the occupation really quickly and in a mature way which is why I think they have lasted so long in there.

There is not a day I have been in there where each occupier hasn't been running around frantically with a long list of things to do and people to meet. Even on an arranged day off, several of the occupiers spent the day writing blogs and reports for websites and helping local school kids with arranging a possible occupation for them. If there is an award for most dedicated occupation, Trinity win!
I think the management at Trinity have a group of students to be proud of and should be working with them rather than being on side with the government. To me, Trinity owes these guys for putting their university on the map and be known for something other than the union bar and should be backing their fight all the way.















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