Oxfam Society occupies

Seizure of Sallies Quad by students protesting global Land Grabs disrupts daily St Andrews life.

What is it about St Andrews students and our constant need to subjugate different parts of the school in protest? Today, Oxfam Society seized Sallies Quad in protest of global Land Grabs.

This event forms part of Oxfam’s GROW campaign, which intends to spread information about the unjust and broken global food system. (Why doesn’t everyone just go to Dervish?) In particular, Oxfam hopes to highlight the immoral actions of transnational companies, many of them registered in the UK, in coercing and intimidating small holders into selling their property.

According to the society, “An area 29 times the size of Scotland has been sold, leased, or licensed in the developing world since 2001” (And I can’t even find a flat).

The Stand caught up with the protesters. We asked, “So, what’s the deal?”

“Over the last few years over 227 million hectares of land have been seized by companies and governments in the developing world,” (As an arts student, I find this concept of ‘a hectare’ inherently confusing), “We’re here to represent Oxfam’s nationwide move against land grabs.”

Second Year Michael Forde told us, “The idea that the developing world must adjust its conception of property rights to fit our Western conception is simply ludicrous. The inability of citizens in these developing countries to stand against their governments and our companies is leading to the biggest property scam in human history.”

Saddened, he added, “Most of this property is used for the creation of biofuels. Unfortunately, this means that most of the land is destroyed in the process. This leaves the occupants and former owners without a sustainable environement.”

This event coincides with the fast growing nationwide movement, including a large demonstration held outside of the Scottish Parliament. At this event, one MSP compared the Land Grabs to the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries with the hope of invoking a strong national empathy for the crisis.

For more information visit Oxfam Land Grabs.