Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/689/12966
From The Socialist newspaper, 12 October 2011
Protest, demonstrate, occupy
Students should support 30 November strikes
Helen Pattison
On 8 September this year 283 out of 420 Greek higher education institutions were under occupation. This will remind many in this country of when over 50 universities in the UK were occupied in the weeks surrounding 24 November 2010 against the trebling of university fees to up to £9,000 and the abolition of EMA payments.
Students in the UK did this to defend the education system - for themselves and for future generations. The occupations showed how politically aware young people were and that they understood the need to defend education for all. Many trade unions and workers came to their aid with solidarity and donations of food.
Students occupied and demonstrated despite the lack of organisation among them before this date.
Today, the unemployed and those in secondary schools up and down the country have no union and the National Union of Students refuses to listen to its members' cries for another national demonstration.
The Tory government is now attacking pensions and so it is time for students to stand by workers who need their support and coordinated action. By organising though our schools, colleges, universities and youth groups and linking up with unions wherever possible we can create a movement capable of stopping the government in its tracks.
In Greece, the most recent protests were initiated by the education unions taking strike action. For the first time, this happened before term even started but it still didn't stop the Greek youth mobilising huge support and solidarity.
On 30 November students and young people should be on picket lines in solidarity with striking teachers and lecturers, to defend the pensions of their friends, families and future colleagues.
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In The Socialist 12 October 2011:
Socialist Party youth and students
Interview with a Jarrow marcher
Marching in the footsteps of history
International socialist news and analysis
US: Occupy Wall Street - Demanding jobs not cuts
Socialist Party workplace news
Strike on 30 November - no secret talks
'We have not gone away' say Southampton council workers
60 printers sacked as bosses make a million
Socialist Party news and analysis
Sovereign debt crisis, recession... No way out under capitalism
Cameron's big 'them and us' society
Fox takes cronyism to new level
Wales Assembly budget: Labour piles on the misery
Con-Dems' policies increase poverty
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
NHS protesters occupy Westminster Bridge
Health campaigners take Ascot by storm
Coventry by-election helps build socialist alternative to cuts
London elections - more support for TU/anti-cuts stand
Socialist Party fundraising
Socialist history
Battle of Cable Street 1936 - When workers stopped the fascists
The Socialist - readers' comments
Portrait of a pension pilferer
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