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Students continued an occupation of Birmingham University's senate chamber yesterday as part of national protests against the privatisation of student debt.
They met no resistance as they rushed into the building at 6.30pm on Wednesday and barricaded the room's doors using bikes and tables.
It came on the day that the Student Assembly Against Austerity staged protests against the sell-off of the student loan book across Britain.
Campaign group Defend Education, which organised the occupation, has demanded that management speak out against the government's plan.
Its statement explained that the occupation of the debating chamber was also a symbolic protest over the lack of democracy at the university.
A spokesman added: "Currently a small class of senior managers benefits disproportionately from the fees and work of students and staff.
"They have total unaccountable power to harm our interests within the university and lobby against our interests outside it."
Birmingham University said it respected the right of students to protest peacefully within the law but added health and safety were their priority.
A spokeswoman said: "We are concerned where any protest poses a potential hazard to protesters or bystanders, or causes unwarranted disruptions to study or work, or damage to property."
Security guards are preventing anyone leaving or entering the chamber but the group came prepared with food, water and sleeping bags.
Speaking from the occupation, one student told the Star: "We brought quite a lot of stuff in with us and we're thinking of ways to get more in. We're hoping we can stay for a while."
Other Birmingham students rallied behind the action at a meeting yesterday and messages of support have flooded the group's social media pages.
National Assembly Against Austerity secretary Sam Fairbairn said: "The government's proposed sell off of the student debt shows its priorities lie with big business who will profit from graduates being thrown even deeper into debt.
"The whole movement should stand in solidarity."
