We, the undersigned, condemn the decision to suspend a student from the University of Cambridge for two and half years for his part in a peaceful protest against the government's higher education policy. Opposition to the government's higher education policies is a stated aim of a broad range of organisations including the National Union of Students, Cambridge University Students Union and Graduate Union, and the University and College Union nationally and locally. Given that 60 other members of the University publicly stated that they were also involved in the protest for which the student has been punished, we are deeply concerned that the University has singled out one individual. We believe, irrespective of individual opinions on the action itself, that this exemplary sentence undermines the University's professed commitment to freedom of speech and the right to protest. We call for the suspended student to be reinstated. For more information see www.defendeducation.co.uk

Members of Cambridge University should also sign an identical petition on the CUSU website - requires Raven login. http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/campaigns/thisisnotjustice/petition/

Cambridge University Students Union have called a demo for Friday 16th March, 1pm, Great St Mary's, Cambridge : http://www.facebook.com/events/164177613703446/

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