The MP for Lewisham, Vicky Foxcroft has written a letter to the Acting Warden of Goldsmiths college, urging her to “Call off legal action and get back round the table with the occupation”.
This comes after the Goldsmiths Anti-Racist Action group (GARA) were issued with an eviction notice on Tuesday after occupying Deptford Town Hall for the past 4 months.
In her letter Ms Foxcroft raised concerns that this move toward legal action would undo the work that has already been done by the occupation she said: “The decision to take legal action goes against any reconciliation that I understand has previously taken place and I worry it will undermine any progress that was made in earlier meetings”.
Today I have written to the Acting Warden of @GoldsmithsUOL about the ongoing occupation by @GoldAntiRacism . The Senior Management Team should call off legal action and get back round the table with the occupation. #GoldOccupy #onegoldsmiths pic.twitter.com/AG051G2TRu
— Vicky Foxcroft MP (@vickyfoxcroft) July 25, 2019
Pic: Twitter
The MP for Lewisham is not alone in her display of support against legal action. The University College Union’s (UCU) regional office has written to Acting Warden, Professor Elizabeth Hill with their support for the GARA occupants.
Over 200 Goldsmiths staff have contacted her in support of GARA and over 1,300 people have signed another letter to Professor Hill protesting against the court action.
1/ Thread. @goldsmiths is threatening violent eviction against BME students.
Contact executiveoffice@gold.ac.uk,@ElisabethLHill @MarkDinverno,@FCorner demanding they revoke the court case and sign the contract of @GoldAntiRacism's demands. #goldoccupy. PLS RETWEET— GARA | DAY 136 IN OCCUPATION (@GoldAntiRacism) July 25, 2019
Pic: Twitter
Acting Warden, Professor Elizabeth Hill is yet to make comment in response.
The story so far Further protests as Anti-Racism occupation are threatened with legal action
Update: Goldsmiths Anti-Racist Action issued with eviction notice