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Occupy Sussex comes to an end as police move in

 

Aubrey Allegretti
Tuesday 02 April 2013 12:57 BST
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The student occupation at Sussex University has officially ended, after bailiffs and police escorted the remaining students out of the building.

Following tensions that emerged after a national demonstration last week, police presence on campus today was heavy - with dog units, police and riot vans all spotted parked around the campus.

Around half the protesters left voluntarily, with a crowd amassing around the occupied building, Bramber House.

Calls for support and solidarity were posted on Twitter by the Occupy Sussex team as those leaving the occupation were joined by supporters.

A second wave of occupiers exiting the building were led out by bailiffs, leading to an arrest and one protester being escorted out in handcuffs.

Security guards confirmed one student had been arrested - leading to supporters outside switching position to block a police van, reported to be carrying the arrested student.

Yellow pieces of paper, which have become the symbol in support of the occupation, were carried by demonstrators as a large group formed in front of the building, occupied by only around 20 more protesters.

Chants of "no justice, no peace, fuck the police" were shouted by protesters as they formed a huddle around the police.

A protester was dragged away by police towards a vehicle leading one protester to cry out at officers: "This could be your daughter man- she's fighting for our education"

Tensions were on the rise as protesters claimed that people were being arrested 'for no reason'.

Protesters blocked a key road off campus by lying down and chanting in a bid to stop police from leaving.

In a statement, John Duffy, Registrar and Secretary of the University, claimed that 'the University sought to act reasonably' in ending an 'unlawful occupation'.

As yellow pieces of paper were whisked away by the wind, a hush descended on the campus. Where banners had once been unfurled, an empty brick wall showed that this occupation had come to an end.

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