STUDENTS are holding a protest on a university campus today to "oppose police presence" in student spaces.
Reclaim Sussex Campus, a student-led campaign group, have called for protesters to join them at 3pm in Library Square at the University of Sussex.
Members of the University of Sussex Rent Strike will also be joining the demonstration.
A tweet posted by Reclaim Sussex Campus states: "Since moving to campus in September, we’ve seen nothing but inaction from #SussexUni.
"From inviting cops onto campus to brutalise students, creating a police state, to a deafening silence over rent cuts and inaction on perpetrators of sexual violence.
"Enough is enough."
Posters have been shared on social media, as well as a list of three demands.
These are calls on the university to keep "cops off campus", to meet the renters' union's demands to cut rent, and "stronger action on sexual assault".
The police presence at #SussexUni has exposed students to racism, sexual harassment and police brutality.
— Kill The Bill Brighton (@KillBillBton) April 18, 2021
Today at 3pm, @ReclaimSussex and @SussexRU will be protesting this state of affairs. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Come along and show your solidarity! pic.twitter.com/zKaRP27ceF
It comes after a video was shared which appeared to show police forcefully pinning a "young woman of colour" against a car as she was arrested during the early hours on Thursday, March 26.
The university's Vice Chancellor Adam Tickell described the footage as "very disturbing".
In an email to students, he wrote: "Very disturbing footage has been shared appearing to involve a young woman of colour, and after reviewing the video, I urgently raised our concerns at the most senior level with Sussex Police.
"They have acted quickly and are now reviewing the incident.
"I am genuinely very concerned about this incident, both in terms of the welfare of our students and the effect on good community relations."
Sussex Police said they had arrested a 20-year-old woman for breaching Covid-19 regulations and for refusing to provide her details, and for a drug offence.
She was "reapprehended" after escaping a police vehicle, and subsequently agreed to provide her details so was de-arrested, while the substance was sent for analysis.
The force said at the time: "We are aware of video footage being circulated after police were called by university security staff to reports of a gathering of about 60 people, in breach of coronavirus legislation, at the University of Sussex student accommodation in Falmer.
"Upon arrival of the first two police officers, while the vast majority of the crowd dispersed, a small group of individuals became hostile during which the two officers were assaulted.
"We understand the concerns being raised by those viewing these short video clips but they do not show the full circumstances of the entire incident.
"Our officers will always seek to engage and encourage people to comply before moving to use lawful and proportionate force, as a last resort.
"We are liaising with the University of Sussex as to the circumstances and to provide reassurance that our priority remains the safety of the public, as well that of our officers and staff."
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