I asked people on the Strand pickets for their coolest UCU Strike anecdotes

For two weeks, King’s students, staff, and many others have been demonstrating outside of KCL Buildings in support of the national UCU Strikes.

As someone who supports the strike (and desperately wants to be friends with all her striking teachers), I’ve been on the picket lines outside of Strand and Virginia Woolf Building this week.

Fortunately, in my busy schedule of academic revolution I’ve found time to ask fellow protestors: “What is the coolest thing you’ve seen on the UCU picket lines?”

https://twitter.com/KCL_UCU/status/1235152260637888512?s=20

Dr Turner gave a shoutout to VWB Picket’s ‘spectacular carrot cake’ yesterday, and more importantly to our VWB band Virginia and the Four Fights, who’ve been serenading the Strand Building with singalongs to some absolute bangers (Dolly Parton, anyone?).

Virginia and the #fourfights! pic.twitter.com/ZCS37aGhmE

— Lucia Pradella (@LuGuangMing) March 3, 2020

Ah, why not, have a video too!

https://twitter.com/ucu_eng_kcl/status/1234795281398616064?s=20

One of the highlights for Dr Connor was Mark’s dog Dodger who made an exciting appearance on the Virginia Woolf Building picket line last week.

Here are some of UCU’s other puppies of the picket line…

https://twitter.com/KCL_UCU/status/1232336914025525248?s=20

https://twitter.com/harrielspencer/status/1234142024124813312?s=20

History department picket on day 2 of #ucustrikes at @KCL_UCU … complete with #dogsonpicketlines! pic.twitter.com/utABqxmAKY

— Chris Manias (@Chris_Manias) February 25, 2020

Meanwhile, Dr De’Ath was a big fan of this sign made by Strand protesters…

https://twitter.com/KCL_UCU/status/1234457111544946688?s=20

One of third year English Undergrad Ellie’s favourite moments was when she briefly hijacked the picket line speakers with her homemade Harry Styles playlist. Yikes. Fellow English Undergrad Dylan relished the opportunity get involved in a teach-out about heat insulation, whipping his top off in the middle of Kingsway in the name of education.

Profiles from the picket line: Dylan @astral_nut and Ellie @ellie_burgin1 are @kingsenglishdpt students supporting the strike! • aspiring academic (Dylan) • hates the fash (both) • bibing Stormzy outside 22 Kingsway (Ellie) @KCL_UCU #UCUstrikesback pic.twitter.com/jgQMejTkbq

— KCL English UCU (@ucu_eng_kcl) March 2, 2020

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Dr Balani said the best strike anecdote was today’s bizarre alternate universe where Princess Anne crossed the Birkbeck picket line… on the same day that Labour MP John McDonnell came to join their ranks.

Princess Anne, Chancellor of the University of London, crossed our picket line this morning. Don’t follow royal 👑 example #UCUstrike #FourFights pic.twitter.com/HKcpifnkYo

— Birkbeck UCU (@BirkbeckUCU) March 4, 2020

Can we get some famous faces at the Strand pickets too? Is Shakira available tomorrow, or?

Another great day at the @SOAS picket today. Great show of solidarity by @johnmcdonnellMP our amazing students and the SOAS samba band @UCUSOAS #UCUstrikesback @FFFPsoas #UCU #ucustrike pic.twitter.com/7mowfMkg9O

— Tobias Franz (@TobiasFranz_) March 4, 2020

Dr Roberts has been loving the enthusiastic response we’ve been receiving from drivers who pass the ‘Honk 4 Workers’ sign outside Virginia Woolf Building. Apparently the 521 buses have been super supportive today. So! Many! Honks!

Spirits remain high and support strong on the @KCL_UCU strand picket! Another great day of teach outs pic.twitter.com/1qywf6OFBV

— Henry Redwood (@Henry_Redwood) March 4, 2020

Dr Birchall talked to me about the amazing biscuits baked by a supportive ex-King’s-student using a 17th century recipe.

Biscuits from a 17c manuscript for picketers thx to @BooksAndGuts ! HOW LOVELY and delicious too! Loving the support from students and alums #UCUstrikesback @KCL_UCU pic.twitter.com/LrprOiYRiV

— KCL English UCU (@ucu_eng_kcl) March 2, 2020

I’m lowkey mad that I’ve been missing all these baked goods…

And on a heartwarming final note, Dr Franklin told me the coolest thing he’s seen on the picket line is the overwhelming amount of support and solidarity for the UCU Strike from so many students and staff across all departments.

To find out more about the strike and how you can get involved click here.

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