The Hydrant Brighton will be playing host to the latest form of protest from University of Sussex staff and its students. The benefit gig will be highlighting the cause and effects of the proposed 112 redundancies to the University’s staff. With the Sussex Students Union’s full support, the gig is being held Thursday 17th June with political songwriter and friend of the University, Robb Johnson headlining, support to be announced. Described as ‘one of Britain’s most challenging songwriters,’ Johnson’s potent-folk can give voice to the devalued and under-appreciated.
Brighton Pavilion’s new Green MP Caroline Lucas, who has shown her support previously at the UCU (University and College Union) rally earlier this month will be speaking at the event too. The Green Party strongly oppose cuts to higher education, ‘wholeheartedly’ backing the UCU’s decision to strike, adding that “universities enable us to lead on ideas, research and innovation. It is universities such as Sussex that ensure Britain stays a world leader in education, training some of the worlds most brilliant minds.”