University of East London (negotiations have started already), St Andrews in Scotland and Bryan Shaw, part of St Martins, are all now in occupation. VC Alan Gilbert is still refusing to negotiate at Manchester University where students are occupying the John Owen's Building for the 15th day - see their upcoming activities below. At the Universtiy of East Anglia where the occupation has ended the management has kept to its promise and is opening negotiations over the occupiers' demands. And of course, UWE has gone into occupation. ueloccupation.blogspot.com We have had an encouraging wave of support, not only from UEL students and lecturers, but also from members of the Stop the War Society and other universities that have been or still are under occupation for the same cause. Currently, more than 30 people are in the lecture theatre and we are busy preparing for tomorrow. We are looking to organise film screenings, talks and discussions every day to raise awareness on the issue...

From UEA occupation blog Occupation ends The occupation of UEA [University of East Anglia] has just ended, after a hectic 24 hours. The reason for ending the occupation have been two fold. Firstly, the uni authorities have shown a willingness to enter into negotiations over some of our demands (and have provided a letter in writing to that effect) and we will soon present the uni with a list of signatures (over 100 in total so far) in support of what we did, and our aims. The second reason was much less positive, we were told that the university could not guarantee that the occupation would not be forcefully evicted during the night (hands up who can spot the barely veiled threat). Because of this we are entering into negotiations with the university who should grant at least some concessions. Should they renounce this agreed position then it is indeed possible that direct action will flair up again more The occupiers say direct action will be on the agenda again if the University...

From UEA occupation blog Rally tomorrow To keep up the pressure on the university and to show them that we won't be intimidated by threats there is a rally planned tomorrow (Friday 13th) at midday on the steps of arts one. Please try and make it if you can to show your support for the occupation. more And over at Goldsmiths TONIGHT!!! 9PM OPEN SPACE FOR: MUSIC,DEBATE, AND SUPPORT FOR THE GOLDSMITHS OCCUPATION FOR PALESTINIAN SCHOLARSHIPS. UNITED VIBRATIONS LIVE 9.30PM Afro/Reggae/Dub www.myspace.com/unitedvibration

From Norwich Evening News University of East Anglia students have barricaded themselves into a building at the university campus - in protest at the situation in Gaza. About a dozen students occupied the second floor of the arts building at the campus last night and were today refusing to leave. The students have issued six demands they want to see met before they leave, including that the UEA sends books and old computers to the University of Gaza, twins with that university and offers scholarships to Palestinian students. John Dixon, a second year politics, philosophy and economics student who is among those taking part in the protest, said: “We hope it will end as quickly as possible and the UEA will accept our demands. “So far they have agreed there will be no repercussions for us and we will get to sit down and talk to the vice-chancellor, but that's not a guarantee that our demands will be met. “As far as I am concerned this could go on for weeks. We have sleeping bags, food ...

Protest and tell the Vice Chancellor Professor Bill MacMillan you support the occupation Telephone: +44 (0)1603 592206 Email: vc@uea.ac.uk From UEA occupation blog The University is taking an odd attitude towards the protest, threat have been made against those distributing our leaflets which we strongly condemn as being a violation of our right of freedom of speech. They are also attempting to prevent students from entering the occupation, again violating rights of freedom of association and protest. There has however been talk of some progress in our demands. Anyone who can, please come down to the occupation to voice your protest over this treatment which we deem to be massively hypocritical for an institution which claims to stand for critical thinking and freedom. We've also been told that the Union is likely to pass a motion allowing food into the building which is good news. There have also been visits by sympathetic academics and there are currently two police of...

http://ueaoccupation.blogspot.com From last night Quick update for the night: Relations with security have taken a much more positive twist with previously hostile members leaving and new staff arriving and discussing things with the students. The University have been in contact with the occupants and some small scale negotiations have started. Also, just to clarify on a previous point, the union has not yet voted on the occupation (this will happen tomorrow) but are currently obliged to support student protest. Whether they support us or not as a specific action will be decided tomorrow. Today latest news There will be a read in and discussion throughout the day and anyone who wants to come along is welcome. Also, the uni has made a very weak offer, in exchange for ending the occupation they will grant three of the students a one hour meeting with the vice chancellor. This has been unanimously rejected twice. The reason being that by giving up the occupation we lose all potentia...