2022–2023 University of Sheffield protests explained

2022–2023 University of Sheffield protest
Image Alt:Occupation in The Diamond holding up a banner that reads "Arms companies off campus"
Date: –
Place:University of Sheffield
Goals:
  • 2022–2023: University to cut ties with companies involved in arms manufacturing (Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and Boeing).
  • 2023–2023: Solidarity with ongoing UCU strikes
Methods:
  • Occupation
  • Online activism
Status:Ended
Side1:
  • Sheffield Action Group (Students), Sheffield Solidarity Group (Students)
Side2:
  • University of Sheffield

The 2022–2023 University of Sheffield protests were student protests at the University of Sheffield in England. The protests ended in October 2023.

Background

The protests was in reaction to the University of Sheffield working with and accepting payment for various activities from companies including Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, and Boeing who are involved in the arms manufacturing industry.[1] [2]

Timeline

2022

Occupations

On 24 October 2022 Sheffield Action Group occupied the faculty of engineering's "The Diamond" building at the University of Sheffield. The group held up banners in support of removing companies involved in the arms industry from campus.[3] [4] In response to the occupation, the university relocated all teaching activities to other venues around campus.[5] [6] On 28 October 2022 High Court enforcement evicted the students from the building.[7] On 24 November 2022 Sheffield Action Group occupied the Hicks Building in solidarity with the University and College Union, and to continue to demand arms companies be removed from campus.[8]

2023

Occupations

On 12 February 2023 the group occupied the Jessop West building,[9] and on 15 February 2023 they occupied the Hicks Building again,[10] [11] later expanding to occupy five buildings.

On 28 September 2023 around 7 pm 20 students occupied Arts Tower, both in protest against arms companies on campus and in solidarity with the ongoing UCU strikes.[12] The occupation is currently ongoing.[13] [14] Classes due to take place in this building are being relocated or ran online, and the university HR department has been disrupted as a result of the occupation.[15]

Incidents

Investigation

The university has been criticised for its handling of the occupations after two students received letters on 9 November 2022 stating that the university has hired private investigation firm Intersol Global to look in to possible involvement in the occupations.[18] The university spent £39,615 on the investigation in total.[19] Both students were able to prove they were not in the city. They believe they were profiled for earlier activism work.[20] [21]

The university was again criticised for using another firm, Horus Security Consultancy Ltd, which provided the university with information about a at the university group called Solidarity Slate.[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 24 October 2022 . Sheffield students are occupying The Diamond to protest the uni working with arms companies . 30 May 2023 . The Tab .
  2. Web site: 24 October 2022 . Masked students occupy university building in protest over alleged arms company links . 30 May 2023 . Yorkshire Post .
  3. Web site: 27 October 2022 . There's no place for arms companies at our university . 30 May 2023 . Now Then Sheffield .
  4. Web site: No, You Won't Use Our Campuses for Military Recruitment . 30 May 2023 . jacobin.com .
  5. Web site: 24 October 2022 . Masked protesters occupy building in Sheffield in anger over alleged 'arms company links' . 30 May 2023 . The Star .
  6. Web site: 25 October 2022 . Arms trade protesters who have occupied a building say its owners 'refusing to engage' with them . 30 May 2023 . The Star .
  7. Web site: UNI THREATENS VIOLENCE TO EVICT US . 30 May 2023 . Twitter .
  8. Web site: 25 November 2022 . Sheffield students occupied The Hicks Building in solidarity with striking lecturers . 30 May 2023 . University of Sheffield .
  9. Web site: Sheffield students occupy five university buildings . 30 May 2023 . The Courier Online .
  10. Web site: Ost . Connor . 15 February 2022 . Student occupation expands to Hicks Building . 30 May 2023 . Forge Press .
  11. Web site: 15 February 2023 . Students 'occupy' Sheffield University building in protest over cuts . 30 May 2023 . ITV News.
  12. Web site: 3 October 2023 . Sheffield students resume campus occupations to protest university’s arms industry links . 3 October 2023 . University of Sheffield.
  13. Web site: 29 September 2023 . Students seize Arts Tower to protest Sheffield University links with arms manufacturers . 2 October 2023 . Now Then Sheffield .
  14. Web site: Harrison . Harry . 30 September 2023 . Sheffield University Arts Tower: Students occupy UK's tallest education building in arms trade protest . 2 October 2023 . The Star.
  15. Web site: Hibbs . Robin . 30 September 2023 . Students occupy Arts Tower, asking university to 'start thinking with compassion and not with money'. . 2 October 2023 . Forge Press .
  16. Web site: SECURITY HAVE LOCKED OCCUPIERS' BELONGINGS AWAY . 30 May 2023 . Twitter .
  17. Web site: 25 November 2022 . Student occupiers claim they were 'locked' in The Hicks Building by university security . 30 May 2023 . University of Sheffield .
  18. News: Hall . Rachel . 13 March 2023 . Sheffield University criticised for hiring private investigator after protest . The Guardian . 30 May 2023 . 0261-3077.
  19. Web site: 4 April 2023 . University of Sheffield paid private investigators £40,000 to look into student occupations . 30 May 2023 . University of Sheffield .
  20. Web site: Goodall . Reece . 29 March 2023 . Sheffield University criticised for hiring "private investigator to spy on their own students" . 30 May 2023 . The Boar.
  21. Web site: 14 March 2023 . Student left 'suicidal' after Sheffield hired private investigator to look into occupations . 30 May 2023 . University of Sheffield .
  22. News: Hyde . Nathan . 28 June 2023 . University criticised for using private investigators to gather information on students . . 26 August 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2022–2023 University of Sheffield protests".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.