The Socialist 14 May 2008

NHS under threat

Unison witch-hunt: Rory Bremner and Mark Thomas speak out

Anti-racists protest at Unison witch hunt

Unison witch-hunt: Defend the four lobby of hearing

Burma cyclone disaster: Wealth and privilege put before aid

60 year anniversary of Israel: Can there be a resolution of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict?

Scottish National Party: One year in power - but little for workers to celebrate

Global capitalist crisis: Confidence in a socialist future

Defend and extend abortion rights

Ladyfest: culture, politics and women

What will Boris Johnson mean for London?

Campaign for a new workers' party: conference 2008

Price rises hit workers

Don't evict Ricky Jones!

The BNP have no solutions...and no clue!

Sussex students uphold 'no platform'

Students 'study-in' in Manchester

Opposing cutbacks in Lincolnshire

Why Labour lost Bury

Left wins in PCS executive elections

North west shop stewards

Saturday 28 June 11.30am-4.30pm

Wales TUC: Right wing attack on democracy

Socialist fighter honoured by lecturers' union

Review: 'Marx in London' by Asa Briggs and John Callow

Previous issues, etc

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Students 'study-in' in Manchester

On Friday 9 May, around 100 University of Manchester students staged a second protest under the banner of 'Reclaim the Uni'(RtU). The demonstration was a follow-up to the occupation of a university building a fortnight ago.

Abigail Taylor, Manchester Socialist Students

The demands decided at the previous occupation were presented to the university's vice chancellor, Alan Gilbert a week before, and his response was eagerly awaited. The response came through one of his secretaries, informing RtU that any problems should be addressed through the student union.

The general feeling seems to be that the views of the union are largely ignored by the vice chancellor's management team, hence the need for these demonstrations.

Protesters marched to the SCAN building, the newest building to be unveiled on campus. There, they staged a 'study-in' in protest at the lack of resources and space in the library. Students simply sat in the foyer of the building, took out their books and started working. The impact of this demonstration is yet to become clear.

Only three security guards attended to the crowd, reluctant to stop a group of students from working on campus for an hour which suggests that management did not feel that students would be a threat this time.

It is unlikely that this protest will make much significant difference to Gilbert's position, but Manchester students are showing no sign of giving up.

In this issue

NHS under threat