Students in occupation: 'We won't be moved'

Students are still occupying buildings at several universities after a UK-wide day of protests against tuition fee rises.

As of Thursday morning, students had taken over lecture theatres and other sites at 10 universities including Edinburgh, UCL, Cardiff and Newcastle.

Some of the students have contacted the BBC News website to tell us why they are occupying their universities.

"We've been negotiating with management for a meeting and have now agreed one for Friday to hear what they have to say to our demands. At the moment we're having a general discussion about what we want to get out of tomorrow's meeting and the occupation itself.

We won't be moved until they understand that we want a more democratic university where students are better represented.

At the moment I guess there are about 150 plus students still in occupation.

We've had lots of support from staff and lots of people signing our petition. We've now got over 500 online signatures and I don't don't know how many more on paper.

We've had an open meeting this evening with over 150 people about the London living wage and getting it implemented at UCL.

The mood is really open and democratic. As much as it's taking time to make decisions every values that everyone is getting the opportunity to speak."

"I'm part of the group occupying Edinburgh University at the moment. There's probably about 50 to 60 of us bedding down for our second night."

We are emphatic that our protest is non-violent and want to use the occupation as an opportunity to put forward constructive alternatives to the cuts the university is potentially facing, as well as motivating the wider student body in solidarity with English students who are facing a rise in tuition fees.

The overall atmosphere in the building is positive, and we've had support from members of staff, as well as a very successful rally today alongside representatives from other groups in opposition to cuts across the whole range of the public sector.

We're organising a day of activities and action on Friday and have been offering workshops and alternative lectures to try and make a positive use of our time and the space we're occupying. We're planning to make more of an effort to bring in more students to the occupation.

We're deciding day-by-day what to do next, but we're determined to stay here as long as it takes to feel like we've made a difference.

"Students have occupied the whole of the Michael Sadler building since about 1400 Wednesday. We are allowing other students to use the space and come and join our protest. We are reclaiming this space for students.

Our occupation strategy is decided by mass democratic meetings that we hold regularly throughout the day, particularly in the morning and evening.

We use them to discuss strategy and logistics and to decide if we are continuing the occupation.

At the moment there is a strongly determined mood to continue."