Friday 17-05-2024 - 12:27

A statement by LUSU President Cerys Evans, VP Union Development Harrison Stewart and VP Welfare Josh Newsham, after protesters at yesterday’s Lancaster University Council meeting were forcibly removed by security staff, on behalf of the university.

 

A joint statement by LUSU President Cerys Evans, VP Union Development Harrison Stewart and VP Welfare Josh Newsham, after protesters at yesterday’s Lancaster University Council meeting were forcibly removed by security staff, on behalf of the university. 

“We are genuinely shocked and appalled at the excessive force we saw used by security on behalf of the University during a student protest on campus yesterday.
 
“We are ashamed and horrified at what we witnessed as they forcibly moved students who were demonstrating outside the University Council meeting we were in.
 
“We took the decision not to attend the rest of the University Council day and dinner to spend time with the students, many of whom had been physically injured and were receiving first aid.
 
“The protest may have disrupted the meeting, but all protests have an element of disruption.  We strongly feel that efforts should have been made to de-escalate the situation rather than resorting to the use of excessive physical force that we witnessed.
 
“We deserve a safe campus where we can freely discuss and demonstrate without being fearful of the University and security. This is a huge and drastic step in the wrong direction and to our knowledge this is the first time a University in the UK has responded like this to protests on the issue.
 
“Earlier this week, VP Welfare Josh Newsham wrote to the University and the rest of Council as a Student Representative on Council. We believe it is important now to publish what he wrote.
 
He said in his letter: "This is a difficult time for our students, leaving many of them angry and frustrated with not only the government but other institutions, including the University. This is a time to meet students with empathy, respect, and openness; and to listen to the causes they are standing for."
 
“We encourage our students to reach out to our confidential Advice Service if they wish to make a formal complaint or seek wellbeing support."

You can email LUSU Advice at LUSUadvice@lancaster.ac.uk.