Cops swoop as protesters try to enter uni building

THERE was a huge police response at the University of Manchester as more protesters tried to get into an exam building on campus.

- ASHLIE BLAKEY AND RAMAZANI MWAMBA

A large number of police vehicles were pictured along Oxford Road in the centre of the campus at around 8.30pm on Monday. The response included a specialist Tactical Aid Unit van.

Footage taken by protesters, who wanted to remain anonymous, showed huge crowds, many carrying Palestine flags, banging on the door of the hall chanting 'shame on you!

Another clip shows the point of view of the demonstrators who managed to get onto the balcony of the building. The video pans to show their location while those below can be seen clapping and hailing them. In the short footage they can be heard chanting 'the people united will never be defeated!

Campaigners say they are calling on the university to cut ties with Israeli companies and institutions amid the war between Palestine and Israel in the Middle East. Earlier this month, students set up a protest camp at Brunswick Park on campus saying they would remain there until the uni 'meets their demands.