Today’s protest in Leeds

There were incredible scenes on campus and in town today. Up to 5000 student and school pupil protestors, alongside University staff, congregated by the Parkinson steps, marched around campus and then into town to hear speeches outside the Art Gallery on the Headrow, before returning to the University to occupy the Rupert Beckett theatre. At one point during the afternoon, there were protestors on the roof of the Michael Sadler building. Chants could be heard by members of this afternoon’s Senate meeting, whose tea break was cancelled for fear of Senate being overrun. Tonight, the protestors plan to stay overnight in the Michael Sadler, and are making arrangements via negotiations with security.

The West Yorkshire Police tweeted the following at around 16:30 today: “Student protest in LEEDS, West Yorkshire Police thank all those who took part for protesting peacefully.”

The Guardian posted a slideshow of images from Leeds today here, and below is our own gallery of pictures from the protest.

2010 protests