University of London calls in state thugs to arrest 3 Cosas activist

On Tuesday 16 July, supporters of the 3 Cosas campaign for sick pay, holidays, and pensions equality for outsourced workers at the University of London, were chalking campaign slogans around Bloomsbury to promote a demonstration the following day.

Someone (activists suspect that this "someone" was from University of London senior management) saw fit to phone the police, who arrived mob-handed and invaded the Students Union building to violently arrest one activist. (For a video of the arrest, see here for a video of the arrest.)

She was taken to Holborn Police Station, where a noisy solidarity action outside demanded her immediate release. She was later released on bail, with one charge of criminal damage and two charges of assaulting a police officer.

Activists protest outside Holborn Police Station to demand the release of the arrested comrade.

Some interesting street art outside Holborn Police Station

The demonstration, on Wednesday 17 July, mobilised dozens of workers and students who protested outside the University of London's Board of Trustees meeting and marched around its flagship Senate House building. Addressing the demonstration, University of London Union Vice President Daniel Cooper said: "If the arrest was an attempt to intimidate the campaign, let it be known: it will not work."

University of London outsourced worker Sonia Chura addresses the demo

University of London Union Vice President and Workers' Liberty member Daniel Cooper speaks at the demo.

The demonstration ended in a "solidarity chalking", with activists writing slogans on the pavement outside Senate House.

• For the ULU statement on the arrest, click here.
• For the 3 Cosas campaign Facebook group, click here.
• For an interview with a worker involved in the campaign, click here.