Students involved in the occupation of Birmingham University have come out in support of one of their number, singled out for repression by the Tory President of his own Students’ Union.

Mark Harrop, president of Birmingham Uni Guild of Students collaborated with management to victimise students and shut down a peaceful occupation against the trebling of tuition fees.

Because of this traitor’s actions, the student faces a disciplinary hearing with the threat over expulsion held over him.

In response, his fellow occupiers have signed a letter to the university, challenging uni bosses to hold all those involved equally responsible:

“We would like to establish for the record that we also attended the occupation; we took the same actions as did Simon Furse. If you want to discipline him you must discipline us as well.”

Edd Bauer, VP Education at Birmingham Guild of Students, suspended last year by Harrop for standing alongside the students he represents, said:

“I have nothing but very great respect for the students who are willing to run the same risk of expulsion as Simon and have in solidarity essentially hung a sign saying “come and get me then you bastard’s” around their necks”

This is an excellent example of solidarity in the face of a crackdown on the right to protest and assembly on university campuses. A victory at Birmingham would strike a blow against all the other Vice-Chancellors waiting in the wings to apply the ‘Birmingham Policy’ against their own students.

The victory at Sussex Uni in March 2010, where 6 students overturned their suspensions for involvement in a campus protest is a precedent that shows that victory is possible. But to win, everyone with an interest in defending students’ freedom of expression needs to get behind the Birmingham students who are courageously taking a stand.

The full text of the letter can be read here.

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