The occupation at Nottingham University in support of the Grants Campaign has been "adjourned' until exams finish in the middle of The occupation started after a series of small-scale actions (such as jamming the university switchboard) had taned to win gusrantees from the Vice-Chancellor and university authorities that no action, disciplinary or legal, would be taken against the rent strikers, The occupation forced the Vice-Chancelior to negotiate on this question, but with no unconditional guarantees forthooming it was decided to suspend the occupation temporarily until after the exams had been held.
The use of such tactics is obviously relevant to other colleges faoed with the possible victimisation of rent strikers. Members of the action committee organising the Nottingham rent strike will be explaining the implications and asking for support at the NUS Special Conference on Saturday, 9 June.
Meanwhile, leading militants at Reading University face disciplinary charges following the occupation of the Admin block on 16 May. The occupation took place after letters had been sent to the parents of rent strikers threatening legal action if the money wasn't paid. Names of those occupying were taken down by several members of the University Senate, who also tried to eject students physically from the bullding.
A meeting of the Students Union at Reading decided on Tuesday to organise an emergency union meeting as soon as any disciplinary action was taken. It also called on the NUS to Red Weekly 1 June 1973 Page 2 Chond surges forward as Cosentry d ambe in wellguarded police consoy at court. this activity, cerlain aspects of the case have shed an intercsting light on the alleged 'neutrality of the law, police, courts, ete.
CONSPIRACY The first point of interest is the use of conspiracy charges. To prove a conspiracy to cause explosions, the polics don't actually have to prove that there were any explosives or e even that there was any arrangement to procure any. They don't have to prove, either, that anyone had specific buildings in mind. All they have to prove is that there was an agreement of some sort. On the other hand, they can use the seriousness of the charges to oppose hail, keep the prisoners in solitary confinement, etc. The use of conspiracy charges is ideally suited to cases like that of the Coventry 6. Secondly, the press coverage has been specifically almed al surrounding the case with hysteria, Considerable emphasis has been laid on the armed marksmen outside the court, the cordoned off roads from the jail in Birmingham to the court, etc. All this is designed to promole the idea that the men must be guilty, otherwise the police would not take all these The same, ol course, applies to the Belfast 10.
organise a national demonstrution to coincide with any disciplinary hearings that take place. Next week's issue of Red Weekly, appearing on the eve of the NUS Special Conference, will be carrying a special article locking at the present stage of the Grants Campaigo and ways in which it can be carried forward.
CHRIS CALDWELL