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LSE Protesters in Early 1969 featuring Basker Vashee

On 27th January 1969, the London School of Economics was closed because students forcibly dismantled steel security gates in protest at the appointment of Walter Adams – a prominent figure from aparteid Rhodesia. The governors had put up steel gates for security, but a group of students said it made them feel as though they were in a concentration camp and they rebelled with crowbars and pickaxes. Once the Director, Walter Adams, had closed the school, the rebel students set up an “LSE in Exile” in the University of London Union building.

A news broadcast on ITV late evening news on 5th February 1969 showed students taking lessons in a tutor’s home and worrying about whether they would get the degree that they deserved. Another interview guessed the chances of the action continuing for another whole week as 50/50. In total, LSE was closed for three weeks even though the protest was much shorter than that.

There were several clashes between students and Walter Adams, after his appointment in 1967. Adam was from Rhodesia and accused of being complicit in the system of aparteid. Previous to the full occupation, Adams had closed LSE down for a weekend, fearing mass support for an anti-Vietnam War protest. The student body resisted by organising a weekend occupation. Following the steel barrier protest, two staff were later sacked and several students faced disciplinary action.

Basker Vashee, pictured right, was one of those who organised this protest against Walter Adam. Vashee was a refugee studying at LSE after being exiled in 1966 for protesting social justice at University College, Salisbury, Rhodesia.