The environmental activist group Student Rebellion occupied multiple buildings on campus, demanding the University cuts all ties with fossil fuels. 

This began on Monday 7^th November with the occupation of a lecture theatre in the Esther Simpson building. Following this, a second occupation began on Friday 11^th November in the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff building, which houses management offices. 

From 8:30 a.m. on 7^th November, Student Rebellion have occupied LG.08. On Monday, this meant students could not enter the lecture theatre for a 9 a.m. business lecture on consumption habits. There was a tense atmosphere in the foyer of the building, as students were refused entry to their lecture. This led to the lecture being moved online as a solution. One student whose lecture was moved online following the action told The Gryphon “They should have gone somewhere else where there are people that make decisions, not here this is just an inconvenience”. 

With Student Rebellion currently refusing to leave, there was an ongoing standoff between the activists and campus security services, with the protesters insisting the occupation will continue until their demands are met. The group has received a letter from the University threatening possible eviction of students under a possession order. The letter also outlines the prospect of disciplinary action for those involved as well as compensation for legal costs.

Student Rebellion demands three things from the University. Firstly, that it bans investments in oil, gas, coal, and mining companies. Secondly, the creation and implementation of an ethical careers policy. Finally, the refusal of all funding from all oil, gas, coal, and mining companies. These demands were articulated in an open letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Simone Buitendjik, inviting the University management to meet with them inside the occupied lecture theatre. There was no meeting between Student Rebellion and the University management to discuss the occupation. 

The group used the lecture theatre for ‘alternative education’, holding a series of lectures, workshops, and film screenings on a range of issues including climate justice, direct action and decolonisation of the curriculum. An outdoor rally in support of the students took place on campus on Thursday evening. 

Speaking to The Gryphon on the day the occupation began, one of the protesters said: “Business as usual can’t continue. The University of Leeds needs to cut ties to fossil fuels. They don’t have an ethical careers policy which allows companies like Shell to come onto our campus and to careers fairs. We think that is absolutely unacceptable in an educational institution, so we are here until the University agrees to come and speak to us and cut all ties with fossil fuels”. 

Another member of Student Rebellion commented: “I am occupying this lecture theatre because I am terrified about the climate emergency. The University claims to be a world leading institution in climate research and innovation, yet when we try to speak out about their links to fossil fuels, we are ignored and threatened. It’s just so hypocritical.”

In response, a spokesperson for the University said: “The University of Leeds Climate Plan sets out the University’s targets, actions and investments to achieving net zero by 2030.  The scope of the plan covers our teaching and research and operational activities, and our staff and student community have been involved in its development and have key roles in its implementation.”

“In line with our Climate Plan, we are reorienting our research and teaching away from the fossil fuel sector. We continue to work with energy companies when the work aims to reduce carbon emissions or accelerate the transition to a low carbon future. Since 2019, our Climate Active investment strategy means we have had no investments in any company whose primary business is the extraction of fossil fuel, or which derives significant revenue from such extraction.”