The document discusses organizing a protest rally in response to an injunction placed by the University of Birmingham banning occupational protests. It mandates the sabbatical officer team to write one final letter requesting the injunction be removed, and if not removed by a deadline, to call and promote a "rally to defend the right to protest" on February 15th that would march across campus and include speeches. The motion supports removing the injunction as it has been condemned by human rights groups and is causing reputational damage to the university.

1. 8. Injunction – Our response
GC.2.12.
GUILD COUNCIL MEETING
2.2.12
Author Name: Edward Bauer
Purpose: Defend the right to protest
Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) x
Summary:
On the 25th of November the University of Birmingham took out an injunction. This
injunction is poorly worded and needs to be withdrawn. It has been widely criticised
including by human rights groups namely Amnesty International and Liberty. The Guild
has requested it is withdrawn the university has declined. The Guild should now organise
a demonstration to defend the right to protest.
Please submit all motions to council@guild.bham.ac.uk by the motions deadline.
Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee
3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate
Sabbatical officer team
3.2. Completion Date for Mandate
February 15th
3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words)
The officer team should write a letter to Vice Chancellor requesting a final time the
injunction is removed. By February 4th at midday if the university does not pledge to
remove the injunction the guild should call a “rally to defend the right to protest” for
2pm Wednesday Feb 15th. This rally should march from mermaid square to the clock
tower for speeches. The Guild should promote the rally heavily.
If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

2. 8. Injunction – Our response
Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box)
An injunction banning “occupational protests” for “persons unknown” on a university
campus is against the principle of free speech expected. It has be condemned widely
even by human rights group like Amnesty International and Liberty. Its continued use
is even causing further reputational damage to the university.
There is some debate if the university intended this to be against the 58 students who
took part the in occupation or all students. A number of prominent lawyers have gone
on record as stating the injunction is worded in way that it could be used for both.
If this injunction is against all of us or just the 58 people involved it is still abhorrent
and should be removed immediately.
If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk