All Campaigns subcategories:
Youth keywords:
Croxteth Comprehensive School (1)
Educational Maintenance Allowance (4)
Youth
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: Manchester - Student - Occupation - Education - Students - University
Manchester student occupation - end rip-off rent, free education now
Visiting the Manchester Student occupation. photo: Manchester and Salford SP (Click to enlarge)
Sebastian Prior, Manchester and Salford Socialist Party
Socialist Party members in Manchester visited the 25 students occupying 'The Tower' at Manchester University to show our solidarity on 15 November. These students represent the discontent and anger of the whole student body. Like other institutions across the country, Manchester University has taken full payment of the £9,000 tuition fees, and £4,000 annual rent, with the promise of a high-quality education. A promise which has not been met.
Students have been exposed to dangerous living conditions, online education, and a rent increase, all while being isolated from their families and each other. The 'Tower' occupation was described as the result of a gradual fanning of the flames of student anger. Throughout this process the university has refused to meet with the students, and has even utilised police and private security to prevent supporters from joining them, or passing them food and vital supplies.
The mood on campus is one of betrayal, but most importantly of determination. Students spoke of continuing the rent strike, and their anger at the commodification and privatisation of universities, stating: "They're treating the university like a business, and we're sick of it, you can't prioritise education if you're prioritising profit."
The awareness of students is certainly rising, and the students we spoke to made this very apparent, stating that the effects of this strike could be a victory not just for Manchester, but for all students. They spoke of the need to remove the profiteers from university institutions, and take the accommodation and the university into the hands of the students and workers at the university.
We had a warm welcome and our ideas clearly enthused and resounded with the strikers and supporters. We will continue to act to support their demands, and help them achieve the goal of democratic workers' and student control of universities.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- We must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
 |
25 Oct How to save the planet
25 Oct Leeds Socialist Party: Socialism and the fight for black liberation
27 Oct Hackney & Islington Socialist Party: What is fascism?
28 Oct West London Socialist Party: The legacy of the collapse of Stalinism
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 077 7221 5281
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999