This motion calls for full support and solidarity with the right to peaceful protest on the University of Birmingham campus in light of recent threats and bullying tactics from University management against members, students, and the BUCU committee. BUCU supports peaceful direct action and protest and will not distance itself from such action.

We recognise the right to peaceful protest and assembly on campus under the Human Rights Act 1998, the European Convention on Human Rights, and under the 1997 UNESCO definitions of academic freedom as adopted by the University Ordinances (paragraph 3.18.3), and recognise the right of staff and students to enter our campus as a designated public space. We note that this right cannot be removed or deemed to be ‘trespass’ without legally adequate and evidence based justification from the University.

BUCU expresses its full solidarity with the peaceful and protest and march that took place on Wednesday 4 th December 2019 in defence of these rights and resolves to provide full support and protection to all involved under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992, and to provide similar support to any other such action in future.

We commit to lobby UCU nationally to adopt a similar stance and to ensure that full support under the UCU legal scheme is provided as a matter of policy to any UCU member victimised for participating in peaceful protest.