Student Assembly 26/03/2019

Motion 5: Solidarity with the occupiers in Deptford Town Hall

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This motion notes that Deeptford Town Hall has been under occupation of Goldsmiths Anti-Racist Action (GARA) since Tuesday 12th March and to lobby management for all their stated beliefs.

Proposer: Fiona Sim

Seconder: Amal Bider

The Union notes:

 

1)    Deptford Town Hall has been under occupation of Goldsmiths Anti-Racist Action (GARA) since Tuesday 12th March.

 

2)    Goldsmiths has scrapped its scholarships for Palestinian students.

 

3)    Security Staff (who are predominantly BME) are outsourced through the private company CIS, the SU has already passed a motion supporting them in their right to be brought in house.

 

4)    That some courses with predominantly BME students, such as, Applied Social Sciences, Community Development and Youth Work have had their contact hours cuts from 17% to 10%.

 

5)    The Union notes that when Goldsmiths opened up Deptford Town Hall, they promised to open it up to the community (a community that is predominantly POC). This has never happened, only students and staff have access and even this is limited.

 

The Union believes:

 

1)    Occupying students should have access the building between 9am-7pm every day.

 

2)    Goldsmiths should reinstate it’s scholarships for Palestinian students.

 

3)    As demanded by their chosen trade union, IWGB, security staff should be brought in house, enjoying the same staff privileges as other university employees.

 

4)    Goldsmiths should reverse cuts to contact hours in Applied Social Sciences, Community Development and Youth Work.

 

5)    Deptford Town Hall should be opened up to use for the local community.

 

The Union Resolves:

 

1)    To lobby management for all above beliefs

2)    To use the Student Union’s social media to promote and give exposure to all work being done by GARA.

Solidarity with the occupiers of Deptford Town Hall, Goldsmiths College

 

The Union notes:

 

1)    Racism is rife across campuses across the UK, Students of colour face racism, especially anti-Blackness, on a daily basis in the form of micro-aggressions, insensitive lecturers and seminar leaders, readings that exclude our experiences, and lack of response from authorities concerned.

 

2)    The problem is institutional and complex, its roots infiltrating every area of the College, from its social spaces to its learning spaces to its statues of slave owners on Deptford Town Hall.

 

3)    In addition, recognising the treatment of cleaners and security guards -who are majority Black, Asian, and Latinx people of colour -as second class citizens, unable to access the privileges that Goldsmiths-employed staff and students can enjoy.

 

The Union believes:

 

1) Whether LGBTQ+, disabled, women or otherwise institutionally oppressed, our struggles are interconnected and intertwined. We will only achieve true, full liberation for all if we boost and listen to the voices of the most marginalised.

2) That BAME students and staff must be involved in the conversation for any progress to be made. The current occupation serves as a way to ensure that progress is made and that BAME and international students are not further isolated.

 

The Union resolves:

 

1)    To support the occupation of Deptford Town Hall, and put pressure on senior management to maintain access to Deptford Town Hall so people and supplies can be transported in and out.

2)    To put pressure on the University to ensure safety of students inside and that demands of Goldsmiths Anti-Racist Action are met.