Autonomedia writes: "On Friday 2nd November about 20 people from Brighton Against the War occupied the Royal
Navy Unit at Sussex University. The occupiers barricaded themselves inside the building
for several hours, hanging a banner from the window reading 'War I$ State Terrorism!'. One
of the university's daily demonstrations against the war was taking place simultaneously
on a different part of campus. On hearing of the occupation the demo moved to the outside
of the building being occupied to give the occupiers support. A crowd of around 150 people
gathered outside, chanting and handing out leaflets.
Eventually the occupiers announced that they would be leaving (having shut down the Unit
for the whole of their working day) to discuss future actions with the crowd outside. The
crowd then attempted to enter the building to meet the occupiers, but were prevented from
doing so by the police. A brief 'scuffle' ensued and bottles of water were tipped out of
office windows onto the cops below.
Police prevented the occupiers from leaving the building, threatened them with Pepper
Spray and arrested them for Section 5 of the Public Order Act and False Imprisonment. They
were held at the University for several hours, had their names and addresses taken and
were filmed by Evidence Gatherers.
Despite the arrests, the action was widely regarded as a success and further actions are
planned by Brighton Against the War.
Part of a statement released by the occupiers stated, ' We believe that it is the
responsibility of those who oppose the war to do all they can to sabotage the war effort!'
.
To contact Brighton Against the War email: nwbtcw@yahoo.co.uk or write to Brighton Against
the War c/o Brighton Peace and Environment Centre, 43 Gardner Street, Brighton. Regular
meetings Mondays at 7.30pm, upstairs at the Hobgoblin Pub, London Road."
