Student protest calls for tuition fees to end
STUDENTS FLOODED the streets of central London demanding the end of tuition fees, in a protest backed by Jeremy Corbyn.
Hundreds of young activists marched on Whitehall bearing placards calling for the rich to be taxed to fund higher education. Organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, the demo received the endorsement of the Labour leader and grassroots movement Momentum.
Simultaneous events were taking place across the country, including at university campuses. Red flares were let off by protesters as they gathered in the shadow of Parliament, with the crowd chanting: “What do we want? Free education. When do we want it? Now.”
Huddled around a stage in Parliament Square, many brandished placards reading “Free education now” and “Tax the rich”, while listening to student speakers.
It follows a decision by the Government to freeze, rather than reduce, university tuition fees at a maximum of £9,250.
Natasha Ryan, 20, of London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, said: “I’m from a working class background in Liverpool and my family can’t really support me as other families could.”
Joel Douglas, 22, studying sound art design at the London College of Communication, said he wanted to see student fees and student debt abolished completely.