Protesters who damaged room get uni group’s support

A group opposing staffing cuts at the University of Otago have come out in solidarity with three protesters who were filming damaging a room in the Commerce Building.

Protect Otago Action Group (Poag) has released a statement clarifying that the three protesters arrested and charged on Tuesday for wilful damage after occupying the room were not related to their organisation.

"To be clear, this was not a Poag action," it said.

"To be more clear, we support these protesters and will stand with them in full solidarity."

Earlier this week, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said the damage to the building would likely be more than $10,000.

The three protesters, aged 18, 20 and 33, will appear in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday.