Manchester students barricade themselves in as staff fail to enter occupied management offices
Students barricading themselves inside the John Owens Building have resisted security staff’s attempts to enter
This morning student activists occupied the offices of the University of Manchester’s senior management, taking control of the whole building.
The occupiers say they will stay until their demands are met. They are calling for the university to:
- Meet the rent strike demands (which include a three year rent cap in halls and a 30 per cent rent refund).
- Provide a £1,500 payment to every student to bring the maintenance loan in line with inflation.
- Meet the UCU demands.
The students have barricaded the doors from inside with furniture.
Security staff were seen using power tools to make attempts to force entry to John Owens.
Students posted “section 144” papers on the doors of the occupation and told security staff that the building is occupied.
Students and staff gathered outside the building to show their support. Some were seen giving food to the occupiers through a window and pulley system.
via TikTok
A spokesperson for the University of Manchester said: “We are aware of a small number of individuals gaining unauthorised access to three University-owned buildings overnight. Our primary concern is the health and safety of those people who are currently occupying the buildings.
“We are aware of some doors and entrances being barricaded and locked and are emphasising our concerns for their safety in the event of an emergency incident.
“The normal working of the University is continuing. We continue to monitor the situation carefully.”
The Tab has seen occupier’s fire evacuation plan. Students said: “We have a fire safety plan and can unlock doors in an emergency.”
Most Read
An SU spokesperson said, “As a Students’ Union, we are committed to ensuring that any students taking part in this occupation is properly supported, with access to food, drinks and other support they need. We also want to ensure they are not unfairly penalised by the university or the community for taking this action. The Students’ Union officers are meeting with university leaders to discuss the issues that these students have presented.”
This story is being updated.
Related stories recommended by this writer:
• BREAKING: Manchester Rent Strike have taken the whole senior management building
Latest
Leeds fresher has ‘whole life’ stolen on first day of university
Heather Williams’ luggage was stolen within minutes of picking up the keys to her accommodation
These are the top four Smithdown based cures for your hangovers from hell
If anyone can still hack drinking until 6am, it’s defo not me x
Students demonstrate against planned University of Sheffield cuts
It was the first student action since last month’s announcement
Take this Lancs this-or-that and we’ll tell you if you’re on the naughty or nice list
It’s the end of Quizmas!
All The Ultimatum season three cast who are already attempting to make money on Cameo
I would pay that amount to not meet J.R., to be honest
Interview: Leeds student challenges LSR suspension after producing gender-critical content
‘My face was taken down off the wall and my name was taken off the website, it felt like I had already been found guilty [before the investigation was over]’
28 Years Later’s music has us spooked, so here’s the Rudyard Kipling eerie Boots poem in full
Who doesn’t love some psychological warfare in their movie trailers?
Katy Perry’s getting rinsed again for her cringe appearance as a RuPaul’s Drag Race judge
‘Gaga would never say something like this, that’s why she gets taken seriously’
Leeds fresher has ‘whole life’ stolen on first day of university
Heather Williams’ luggage was stolen within minutes of picking up the keys to her accommodation
These are the top four Smithdown based cures for your hangovers from hell
If anyone can still hack drinking until 6am, it’s defo not me x
Students demonstrate against planned University of Sheffield cuts
It was the first student action since last month’s announcement
Take this Lancs this-or-that and we’ll tell you if you’re on the naughty or nice list
It’s the end of Quizmas!
All The Ultimatum season three cast who are already attempting to make money on Cameo
I would pay that amount to not meet J.R., to be honest
Interview: Leeds student challenges LSR suspension after producing gender-critical content
‘My face was taken down off the wall and my name was taken off the website, it felt like I had already been found guilty [before the investigation was over]’
28 Years Later’s music has us spooked, so here’s the Rudyard Kipling eerie Boots poem in full
Who doesn’t love some psychological warfare in their movie trailers?
Katy Perry’s getting rinsed again for her cringe appearance as a RuPaul’s Drag Race judge
‘Gaga would never say something like this, that’s why she gets taken seriously’