After a stand off with security and hours of protest, students continue to occupy the Dining Hall tonight.
Late tonight, Provost Patrick Prendergast tweeted that Trinity will “seriously consider” alternative proposals for supplemental exam fees.
Earlier today, the future of the occupation was in doubt after security rushed to secure the building this afternoon. Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) said students no longer had toilet access, while members of the campaign were stranded outside as security closed the doors of the Dining Hall. Word quickly spread on social media that the occupation had taken a turn.
Toilet access for the occupiers was eventually restored earlier this evening. A meeting between TCDSU President Kevin Keane, Graduate Students’ Union President-elect Oisín Vince-Coulter and Dean of Students Kevin O’Kelly was held this evening to negotiate the ongoing lock-in.
Students made their way from libraries and across campus to meet on the Dining Hall steps to show solidarity with those inside. As the rain pelted down, chants that have become increasingly familiar in the last few days rang out on campus once more.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett addressed students under Front Arch, while fellow TD’s Paul Murphy and Bríd Smith were also in attendance. Speaking to The University Times, Boyd Barrett described Trinity’s actions as “draconian” and said that “Paddy Prendergast should hang his head in shame”.
After briefly moving to Regent House, students set up camp in the Exam Hall, where the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President Michael Kerrigan commended the effort so far. “Trinity are starting a movement here and the rest of the country are now looking at you”, he said.
Throughout the evening, students’ unions from across the country pledged their support to the students protesting in Trinity. University College Dublin Students’ Union (UCDSU) tweeted that it was concerned about the students taking part in the occupation while Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union (QUBSU) President Stephen McCrystall also tweeted that he stood in solidarity with Trinity students.
Smith, abortion rights activist Anna Cosgrave and Senator Lynn Ruane had all attended the Dining Hall today in support of the occupiers.
USI had already condemned Trinity for this evening’s events. Speaking to The University Times, Kerrigan said: “USI absolutely condemns this action by the College to restrict facilities to protesters and we would just like to say this will not defeat us but only make us stronger.”
