Representatives of Pembroke College tonight added their voice to the growing support of the occupation of Old Schools.

In a Junior Parlour Committee (JPC) open meeting, the students unanimously agreed to support non-violent direct action generally and in particular the current occupation.

“We need to show that we still care about equality,” Isaac Stanley, the Pembroke Ethnic Minorities Officer, said.

“Critically what this protest is about is the social impact that the increase to £9000 [of student fees] would have,” he added. “We must throw our weight behind this and think not only about us but about society.”

However, while the students present at the meeting supported the aims of the occupation generally, they did not back each individual proposition set forward by the protestors. It was agreed that some of these proposals were unrealistic. For exmple, that the University should “use its influence to fight for free education for all”.

“It’s a wonderful idea but I don’t think it’s a particularly realistic proposition or a particularly fair one,’ said one student.

Pembroke College's JPC were keen to emphasise that their support was just a reflection of the views of the students who turned up to the open meeting and not necessarily a collective view of the College as a whole. They are planning to hold an online poll for students at a later date.

There was also much debate about whether or not illegal action should be endorsed. Some students felt that morals should not be based on the law, and therefore illegal actions could sometimes be permitted.

“You certainly can distinguish in your minds the difference between civil offence and criminal offence,” one student explained. “We can support a protest which involves civil offences like trespass, but I personally wouldn’t support a protest that is a criminal offence.”

The occupation has so far been a civil offence, but following the University’s request for a possession order in court this afternoon, if the protestors do not leave when asked they will be in contempt of court and therefore committing a criminal offence.

According to JPC Vice-President Annasilvia Sciortino, they were planning on reacting in a non-violent way to any upcoming injunction from the court, but have not yet decided exactly what they will do.

Other Colleges have also been debating this matter. King’s College held a meeting tonight, while Gonville and Caius have already voted in support of the occupation. Peterhouse, on the other hand, voted against it, although the results were close.