George Bowden
Each of the thousands of students that attended Wednesday’s #FreeEducation demo in central London had different reasons for doing so.
And while for some it was a chance to rebel against the government, and even the police, others were clear in their reasons for supporting free education.
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Shreya Paudel, the NUS’s International Students Officer, explained his support for the demonstration, despite the withdrawal of the union’s national leadership.
“We wanted to show solidarity to home students who are fighting for free education,” Shreya says, struggling to keep his banner, which displays a prominent NUS logo, from unfurling out of control, “Ideally free education should happen in every part of the world but if that doesn’t happen, at least it should happen in one of the richest countries in the world.
“And even for international students, until just 35 years ago it was free for international students as well here, and it’s free for international students in Germany and Norway, even now.”
As the march splintered at Parliament Square, with some students dispersing into adjoining streets, a sizeable proportion headed to the rally point.
For students Katie Lewis, Alia Kassem and Saffron Skye, resting against the railings close to where speakers were due to appear, taking part in the demonstration was a show of solidarity.
“We’re all students and we’re all getting screwed over,” Saffron says, “I had to suspend my studies last year and then pick them up again this year so I’ve got another year of fees on top.
“I think that it’s unfair and creating and upholding a system in which only the rich and the privileged will be able to work in government and be in power, which disempowers a whole class of people. And a whole race of people.”
For Alia, it’s personal experience that informs her support. “One of my reasons for joining is because, while I had an amazing education to begin with, because of where my life went, I ended up in YMCA supported living,” she says.
“People without an address can’t get a job, people struggle to even get to university. Me and Katie are some of the first to go to university from the YMCA and for people who are homeless, which we’ve both suffered, it’s a struggle and it’s something I’m struggling with even now.”
Katie agrees. “I hate that we were special in that we went to the YMCA and we came to university,” she says, “I think the fees put people off from a working class background.”
And for Saffron, it’s clear that tuition fees are a symptom of a much wider problem. “This is reinforcing a class struggle we’ve been trying to get rid of for a hundred years,” she says.
“This is digression not progression.”
Student Protest March
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(01 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors jump over barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(02 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors remove barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(03 of41)
A police officer clashes with protesters outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after a march against student university fees in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(04 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: A protester holds up a flare during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
Britain Student Protest(05 of41)
British police officers and students clash on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
Britain Student Protest(06 of41)
Protestors clash with British police officers on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
Britain Student Protest(07 of41)
Students dismantle security barriers placed by British police on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
Britain Student Protest(08 of41)
Students dismantle security barriers placed by British police on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(09 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors march down Whitehall during a protest against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(10 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors jump over barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(11 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors walk down Whitehall during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(12 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protesters walk down The Strand during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(13 of41)
A protester holds a sign bearing a picture of UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage with a drwan Hitler moustache outside Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(14 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: A policeman raises his baton as a march against student university fees passes the Houses of Parliament on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(15 of41)
A police officer holds his baton at the ready during a scuffle with a protester during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(16 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(17 of41)
Protesters walk through The Strand during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(18 of41)
Protesters hold signs and gather outside Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(19 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(20 of41)
A protester holds a sign as he sits outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(21 of41)
Protesters walk through The Strand during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(22 of41)
Protesters jump over the barrier to enter Parliament Square during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(23 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Police officers clash with protestors near the Houses of Parliament during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(24 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors try to remove barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(25 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(26 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(27 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(28 of41)
Police officers stand behind barricades outside the Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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A man tries to remove a barrier outside the Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in Lodnon on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(30 of41)
A protester holds up a lit flare amid demonstrators during a march against student university fees in near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(31 of41)
A police officer holds his baton at the ready during a scuffle with a protester during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(32 of41)
A protester holds up a lit flare amid demonstrators during a march against student university fees in near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(33 of41)
A protester wearing an anonymous balakcava takes part in a march in Lodnon against university fees on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(34 of41)
Students hold signs as they march in Lodnon against university fees on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(35 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protest placards are placed outside the University of London ahead of a protest against student fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. Thousands of students from universities across the country are expected to travel to the capial today to take part in a national demonstration calling for free education. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(36 of41)
Police officers stand behind barricades outside the Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in Lodnon on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)