[3] This later expanded to goals including improvement of living conditions,[4][5] increased access to support services[6] and the removal of senior university leadership figures, such as Vice-chancellor Nancy Rothwell.

[8] At the time, cases of the virus were the highest nationally in the Fallowfield ward containing the residential campus amid illegal student parties.

[14] Concurrent to this, an incident occurred in which a student who was detained and questioned outside a halls of residence accused campus security of racial profiling practises.

[16] Following the protests, an inquiry into the erection of the fences was set up to investigate the events of the 5 November, making a number of recommendations relating to communication with students and COVID-19 management.

[12] Additionally, following charges of common assault, on 18 November 2021 two security officers were acquitted of wrongdoing in the case of the racial profiling allegation.

On 5 November 2020, over 1,000 students[12] gathered in the centre of the campus to protest against the temporary fencing with the organisers claiming additional motivating issues.

[14] The university attempted to stop food deliveries reaching the occupiers and turned off the Wi-Fi in the building but later relented after an intervention by local Manchester Gorton MP, Afzal Khan.

[33] Following the series of incidents a non-binding motion of no confidence in Nancy Rothwell and senior management was put forward at the University of Manchester Students' Union.