http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/25/protest-students-higher-education
Edd Bauer, vice-president for education at Birmingham Guild of Students and well-known anti-cuts activist, was arrested on 16 September for suspending a banner protesting against university fees and education cuts above a public highway during the Lib Dem party conference. He was refused bail and has been held in Winson Green prison since last Monday. His detention for a minor act of civil disobedience represents yet another attempt to criminalise peaceful protest and to dissuade other young people from taking part in movements to defend education, services and jobs. At a time when prison governors are complaining that they cannot cope with the huge increase in custodial sentences after the disturbances of the summer, what purpose is served by locking up Edd Bauer?
If the objective is to frighten others, Edd’s detention has enraged and mobilised a new layer of young protesters. If the plan is to “take out” key individuals to disrupt protest movements, the result has been to give a new set of activists a crash-course in campaigning against injustice. Edd Bauer will appear in Birmingham magistrate’s court on 26 September at 3pm. We call for his release – and the right to hang our banners in peaceful protest whenever and wherever we choose.
Prof Gargi Bhattacharyya UCU NEC
Clare Short
John Smith General secretary, Musicians Union
Michael Rosen
Paul McNab Public Interest Lawyers
Mark Thomas
Michael Chessum NUS NEC and NCACF
Prof Bill Bowring
Dr Sue Blackwell Birmingham UCU
Zita Holbourne Co-chair BARAC
Daniel Guedalla Birnberg Peirce
Leslie Manasseh Deputy general secretary, Connect
Prof Alex Miller
Manuela da Costa-Fernandes NUJ Black Members Council
Prof Avtar Brah
Lorna Campbell PCS
Prof John Gabriel
Wilf Sullivan TUC
Bethany Shiner Stop Kettling Our Kids
Dr David Bailey Birmingham UCU
Dotun Alade-Odumosu GMB
Dr Sarah Amsler Campaign to Defend the Public University
Mohammad Taj Unite
Prof Les Back
Freddie Brown Prospect
Winston Phillips Bectu