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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Five students at Sussex Uni banned from campus for 'peaceful protest' | Five students at Sussex Uni banned from campus for 'peaceful protest' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Five students have been suspended from Sussex University and banned from going on to campus. The decision has sparked an online petition, reaching 3,216 signatories at the time of writing, criticism from MPs on Twitter, and a planned protest at 1pm on Thursday afternoon. | Five students have been suspended from Sussex University and banned from going on to campus. The decision has sparked an online petition, reaching 3,216 signatories at the time of writing, criticism from MPs on Twitter, and a planned protest at 1pm on Thursday afternoon. |
| In a letter sent to suspended student Michael Segalov, the vice-chancellor, Michael Farthing explains that "reports have been brought to my attention that connect [these students] with the recent occupation of the third floor of Bramber House". He says these actions involved "disruptive and intimidating behaviour" on 3 December. | In a letter sent to suspended student Michael Segalov, the vice-chancellor, Michael Farthing explains that "reports have been brought to my attention that connect [these students] with the recent occupation of the third floor of Bramber House". He says these actions involved "disruptive and intimidating behaviour" on 3 December. |
| The suspended students, now being labelled the Farthing Five on Twitter, include Adriano Marotta, who is chair of the postgraduate association, Hichem Maafi, ethical and environmental officer, Lewis Nielsen and Michael Segalov. | |
| The suspension, which was sent by email on Wednesday evening, has caused outrage among students. On Facebook, 472 people have said they will attend a protest on Thursday afternoon on a Facebook group. | The suspension, which was sent by email on Wednesday evening, has caused outrage among students. On Facebook, 472 people have said they will attend a protest on Thursday afternoon on a Facebook group. |
| John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, has supported the online petition, tweeting: "I have signed petition and tweeted it. I will be tabling early day motion in parliament in morning to support you." | John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, has supported the online petition, tweeting: "I have signed petition and tweeted it. I will be tabling early day motion in parliament in morning to support you." |
| Michael Segalov says: "I've been sent an email explaining that I've been excluded from campus. I wasn't on campus on 3 December, and I'm not sure which part of my cinema, pub and homework session was intimidating but I'd be interested to find out. | Michael Segalov says: "I've been sent an email explaining that I've been excluded from campus. I wasn't on campus on 3 December, and I'm not sure which part of my cinema, pub and homework session was intimidating but I'd be interested to find out. |
| "I don't understand what I've personally done. And I don't understand what's going on, because we haven't been given any form of evidence. | "I don't understand what I've personally done. And I don't understand what's going on, because we haven't been given any form of evidence. |
| "We have a campaign at Sussex which is ongoing and involves thousands of people - I'm one of those people and I'm quite vocal. It seems like they've picked out five students whom they wanted to make an example of." | "We have a campaign at Sussex which is ongoing and involves thousands of people - I'm one of those people and I'm quite vocal. It seems like they've picked out five students whom they wanted to make an example of." |
| Adriano Marotta says: "I've been suspended for protesting against privatisation on campus. I think it's outragous and ironic that they respond to criticisms and demands for more democracy by suspending students. I can honestly say I did not expect this, or in any way see it coming. | |
| "I have a doctor's appointment on Friday where I'm due to find out whether I have diabetes or not. I emailed Michael Farthing to get permission to go to the doctor and have had no response. | "I have a doctor's appointment on Friday where I'm due to find out whether I have diabetes or not. I emailed Michael Farthing to get permission to go to the doctor and have had no response. |
| "If I go, I face being physically removed by security because I've been banned from going anywhere on campus. That doesn't just mean study facilities - but from doctors, dentists and psychological services too. | "If I go, I face being physically removed by security because I've been banned from going anywhere on campus. That doesn't just mean study facilities - but from doctors, dentists and psychological services too. |
| "It's indicative of a fear that runs along strands of university management that they chose to suspended three student representatives." | "It's indicative of a fear that runs along strands of university management that they chose to suspended three student representatives." |
| The Sussex students' union has condemned the suspensions: "The students' union believes that improper processes have been followed, and unjust reasons have been given for the vice-chancellor's actions. | The Sussex students' union has condemned the suspensions: "The students' union believes that improper processes have been followed, and unjust reasons have been given for the vice-chancellor's actions. |
| "The students' union firmly believes in the right of students to peacefully protest against practices they deem unfair, and condemns the intimidation of students undertaking peaceful protest action by university management." | "The students' union firmly believes in the right of students to peacefully protest against practices they deem unfair, and condemns the intimidation of students undertaking peaceful protest action by university management." |
| John Duffy, registrar and secretary at the University of Sussex, says: "We have suspended and excluded from campus a number of students who, in the opinion of the University, were actively organising or leading these unlawful occupations and associated events. | John Duffy, registrar and secretary at the University of Sussex, says: "We have suspended and excluded from campus a number of students who, in the opinion of the University, were actively organising or leading these unlawful occupations and associated events. |
| "We believe we had no other choice but to act to make it clear that activities that seriously disrupt our campus community will carry consequences. | "We believe we had no other choice but to act to make it clear that activities that seriously disrupt our campus community will carry consequences. |
| "We have excluded these students to protect the interests of all of the students, staff and visitors who are entitled to use the campus without fear of intimidation and serious disruption. | "We have excluded these students to protect the interests of all of the students, staff and visitors who are entitled to use the campus without fear of intimidation and serious disruption. |
| "All students who attend the University of Sussex have given an undertaking to respect its rules and statutes and the University is under a duty to ensure those rules are properly enforced." | "All students who attend the University of Sussex have given an undertaking to respect its rules and statutes and the University is under a duty to ensure those rules are properly enforced." |
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