2020 University of Manchester protests | |||
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Date | 5 November 2020 – 25 November 2020 (2 weeks and 6 days) | ||
Location | |||
Goals |
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Methods |
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Resulted in | 30% reduction in rent in halls of residence for 2020-21 | ||
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The 2020 University of Manchester protests were a series of student protests and rent strikes at the University of Manchester in England. The protests began on 5 November 2020, and occupations ended on 25 November 2020. The protest was in reaction to perceived mishandling of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by university management.[1] The goals of the protests were a removal of fencing erected during the COVID-19 lockdown[2] and a reduction in rents in halls of residence.[3] This later expanded to goals including improvement of living conditions,[4][5] increased access to support services[6] and the removal of senior university leadership figures, such as Vice-chancellor Nancy Rothwell.[7]
As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the university closed its teaching campus on 7 October 2020.[8] At the time, cases of the virus were the highest nationally in the Fallowfield ward containing the residential campus amid illegal student parties.[9][10] On 23 October, Greater Manchester was placed into a Tier 3 lockdown.[11] On 5 November, the university erected temporary fencing to prevent mixing of households, notifying students later in the day.[12][13] By the evening, a large demonstration had formed and the fencing was dismantled by protestors, with the fencing cleared by the university the next day.[2] Following this incident, a group of students promoting a rent strike occupied the tower of the Owens Park halls.[14] Concurrent to this, an incident occurred in which a student who was detained and questioned outside a halls of residence accused campus security of racial profiling practises.[15] The protests ended on the 25 November when the tower was vacated following a Students' Union negotiated rent reduction.[16]
Following the protests, an inquiry into the erection of the fences was set up to investigate the events of the 5 November, making a number of recommendations relating to communication with students and COVID-19 management.[12] Additionally, following charges of common assault, on 18 November 2021 two security officers were acquitted of wrongdoing in the case of the racial profiling allegation.[17] Later in March 2021, a referendum was held by the Students' Union on a motion of no confidence in the vice chancellor and other senior management staff.[18] Despite a vote in favour of 89%, the union motion was not binding on the university and the turnout was only 13%.[7] On 12 March 2021, the university board of governors reaffirmed their support for the senior management team.[19]
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