SEVEN protesters have been arrested by police and dragged off the roof of a derelict building at the University of Sydney.

Riot squad officers broke into the building, just before 2pm, and made their way to the roof where the group had huddled together.

One by one, police pulled the protesters away and dragged them from the roof top.

All seven people are being spoken to by police within the grounds.

They are expected to be taken to a nearby police station and charged.The squatters have occupied the building on City Rd for the last 3 months and are resisting attempts to be evicted.

The group of ten squatters had barricaded themselves at St Michael's College at Sydney University. The building, believed to be owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, has been empty for many years.



Police sealed off half of the campus and one side of City Road.



Witnesses say there are at least three fire engines, eight police vehices, 10 riot squad, 20 police officers, two State Emergency rescue vehicles and crews present.



An officer at the scene refused to comment on a pending investigation.



Hannah Stevens, 23, is one of the protesters inside the building.



She said there is a dispute over who owns the building.



"The Catholic Church owns the propery but the university owns the land," she said.



"The reason why the Catholic Church has not entered the building is because they need to prove ownership.



"Our legal representative spoke to police and the church to enter the building at 9am today with proof of legal ownership but they don't have it yet.



"We are not going to leave without a fight - it won't be a violent fight but we are going to resist.



"This is about the opportinuty for affordable housing in this society.



"The cost of living in this city is ludicrous and for a lot of people this is their only option."



The protestors have also hung banners from the roof saying: 'All power to the people' and 'Housing is a right, not a privilege'.



Originally published as Seven arrested at Sydney uni rooftop protest