This branch notes:

• Three students were arrested on campus on 21st October following a peaceful protest against the inclusion of arms companies complicit in genocide at a careers fair
• The police were ‘informed’ by SMT about the protest
• Such a move is in line with a wider authoritarian approach currently being adopted at the University
• A recent report on the detrimental impact of the presence of police on campus on marginalised students and staff
• That the University of Leeds has University of Sanctuary status

This branch resolves to:

• Write to the senior management team asking them to:
  • respect students’ right to freedom of expression, specifically in the right to express lawful views and opinions freely
  • commit to a policy of no police or armed forces on campus unless there is a meaningful, direct threat to a person(s).
  • conform with its status as a University of Sanctuary, by not allowing companies onto campus whose corporate activities are part of causing people to seek sanctuary in the first place
• Support students in their right to freedom of expression, including peaceful protest on campus

This resolution was carried by members of the branch at the ordinary general meeting 13 November 2025. The text here is subject to approval of the minutes of that meeting. The motion was proposed by Kate Hardy and seconded by Sandy James.