STUDENTS STAGING "SIT-DOWN STRIKE" IN UNIVERSITY GROUNDS; STUDENT WITH RED FLAG ON BALCONY POLICE BELOW; STUDENTS CLAPPING; POLICE REMOVING SEATED STUDENTS; MAKING ARRESTS; STUDENTS INTO POLICE VAN; OTHERS BLOCKING PATH OF VANS (NATURAL SOUND).




Initials RM/V/MR/PF



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: SEVERAL HUNDRED STUDENTS OCCUPIED THE RECTOR'S OFFICE AT THE FREE UNIVERSITY IN WEST BERLIN YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) IN PROTEST AGAINST THE REFUSAL OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS TO ALLOW STUDENTS A GREATER SAY IN RUNNING THE POLITICAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE. ABOUT 1,000 POLICE EVENTUALLY EJECTED THEM AND MADE SEVERAL ARRESTS.

STUDENTS STAGED "SIT-DOWN STRIKES" IN THE UNIVERSITY GROUNDS AND SQUATTED OUTSIDE THE MAIN DOOR OF THE RECTOR'S OFFICE POLICE ENTRY WAS FURTHER HAMPERED BY FURNITURE BARRICADES INSIDE. AT ONE STAGE, THE STUDENTS ALSO POURED DOWN BUCKETS OF WATER ON POLICE TRYING TO ENTER THE BUILDING. AFTER TRYING TO NEGOTIATE FOR A SAFE CONDUCT ASSURANCE, THE STUDENTS IN THE BUILDING EVENTUALLY CAME OUT AND REMOVED THE BARRICADES.

UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAID LATER THAT THE BUILDING HAD BEEN PARTLY RANSACKED AND DAMAGE WAS CONSIDERABLE.