Report: National Demonstration 2010

A day that began with a reported 50,000 students coming together to fight against cuts to higher education ended in scenes of unprecedented violence, leaving a largely peaceful protest overshadowed by riots, only stone’s throw away.

The initial overwhelming feeling of Vision reporters and those we spoke to, was one of positivity as protesters young and old marched as one from Horse Guards Avenue, Westminster to just outside the Tate Britain. What was instantly apparent was that this demonstration, whilst student dominated, had brought out sympathies from other social groups, across the political, economic and generational spectrum.

Nell Beecham, YUSU LGBT officer, touched upon the present diversity of the crowds in saying that the event was “important for all students: past, present and, most importantly, future.” This was particularly highlighted by prospective university student Rob Weston of Norwich College, who told Vision that he attended the march due to fears of being “priced out of university education.”
A similar view was echoed by Fran Poole, an employee of the University of East Anglia, who told us that she firmly believes in free education, and that she “dread[s] to think what the future will become.”

Students from the University of York joined the march at around 12.30, shortly after it had begun, following delays getting into the capital. These included early closures of roads, following unconfirmed reports that a coach carrying students from Lincoln had crashed into an unmarked police vehicle. Once regrouped and on the march, York students walked past Downing Street, Parliament and the Tory HQ at Millbank, stopping each time to chant outside of them.

Despite the smaller police presence throughout much of the day, the protest continued on peacefully, with many students unaware of the scenes later unfolding at the Conservative Party Headquarters.

Goodricke JCRC Chair Tim Ellis was particularly impressed at the turnout, saying that it was “amazing that so many people are here from York today. We’ve done ourselves proud considering we’re a relatively small uni.” YUSU figures show almost 400 students from York and York St John’s universities, compared to 600 from the much larger Sheffield University. Indeed, York’s contingent made up nearly a quarter of the total North-East turnout.

YUSU President Tim Ngwena said that he was “pleased and proud that 400 York students were involved in the protests. It’s a great reflection of how much students care about the issue and gives us a lot of confidence heading into discussions with the University on fees and cuts to funding.”

David Levene, ex-York student and candidate for the Councillor of Heslington told Vision that he didn’t want to see university education become a matter of “ability to pay rather than ability learn.”

This sentiment was picked up on by Sean Keld, a student from Coventry University, who told Vision about his 11 year old brother. “My mum can hardly pay for me,” he said, “my brother could go far, but not without university. He’s good at sport, I can see potential in him. I’m protesting for [him], or uni will be for the rich and not the able.”

The march itself, which progressed slowly and almost entirely peacefully along the Thames, was buoyed along by a sense of camaraderie and united ambition. Universities and sixth-form colleges from across the UK turned out in force, with colourful banners and equally colourful chants. The journey culminated with speeches from Sally Hunt, the University and College Union General Secretary, Frances O’Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary, and Aaron Porter, NUS President.

Reception of the speeches was overwhelmingly positive, with Aaron Porter being forced to stop frequently to wait for applause to die down. “We have pulled back the drawbridge on the generations which will follow us,” said Porter, “we stand proud, together, united.”

Hunt focused particularly on the turnout of students and the statement made by students there, proclaiming “no to a government that breaks its promises!” Much of what was said by all speakers focused specifically on the Liberal Democrats and their actions since joining the party, with far less mention made of Prime Minister David Cameron or Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne.

Hunt also encouraged protestors to chant, with popular chants from the day at the rally, including chants such as “no ifs, no buts, no education cuts,” and “I say Tories you say scum.”

O’Grady discussed unity between the TUC and students’ unions, stating that she is “so proud to bring solidarity on behalf of the TUC.” She went on to say that protestors are “not alone, you’ve got 7 million workers with you.”

Calling the cuts ‘ideological’ and ‘right-wing’, O’Grady continued to claim that policies by the government would turn colleges and universities into “finishing schools for the rich,” and later stated that “together, we are the new coalition – we are going to speak for the people […] because this public spending deficit, this wasn’t caused by workers, it wasn’t caused by public service workers, firefighters, school meal workers, refuse workers, tube workers, and it certainly wasn’t caused by students.”

Unfortunately, as the marchers began to disseminate and return to their coaches news of the assault on the Millbank headquarters of the Conservative Party began to filter through. As students from the University of York sat on coaches waiting to be taken home several hundred protesters had descended on the riverside building, some breaking windows whilst others climbed to the roof. Speaking to Vision, Patrick Kingsley, Cambridge graduate and Guardian journalist, told us that the protesters then barricaded themselves onto the roof and began spraying fire extinguishers into the crowds.

In a Vision exclusive we can reveal that effigies of David Cameron were burnt in the lobby of Millbank at the beginning of the sit-in. Meanwhile, below on the building’s forecourt further crowds of protesters and press gathered to watch the spectacle. A bonfire was lit, though Kingsley reported that this seemed more a survival measure against the bitter temperatures than an act of arson or intimidation.

After several hours of the building being effectively under siege riot police began to take action.

In an attempt to control the situation they created a “kettle” around those at the base of the building; refusing entry or exit into the area. According to Kingsley those inside the kettle “seemed peaceful; they weren’t the direct action protesters but mainly spectators and journalists.”

It has been confirmed that students carrying placards from the University of York were present at the storming of the building, though the level of their involvement is unclear. Vision can confirm that these students are students at the University. Kingsley noted that “many of those inside seemed to be anarchists, rather than students.”

Whilst those who travelled hundreds of miles to show their support for the campaign may justifiably feel that their efforts were somehow spoilt by the actions of the inflammatory few, Vision would urge students not to shy away from the cause itself. “This was not part of our plan,” said Porter of the escalated violence, “This action was by others who have come out and used this opportunity to hijack a peaceful protest.”

Porter has continued to condemn the actions of the minority of protestors in newspapers and news bulletins today.

The BBC earlier reported that the 50 students arrested at Millbank had been released on bail, and that an inquiry into the police dealing of the riots was to be had.

YUSU President Tim Ngwena commented on these events to say that “It’s a shame that the actions of a few have tarnished the image of many students across the country. The march was mostly peaceful.”

“It’s a shame the violence has taken the centre stage in media reports.”

It is, and will remain, the opinion of York Vision that the only way to recover from the damage done by the violent few is to continue in our peaceful protest.

All students who wish to remain involved in the campaign and its future developments are urged to text “NUS” plus their e-mail address to 88802.

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