DayX-Student tuition fee demonstration 24/11/10
Protesters march towards Trafalgar Square.
The National Union of Students called a nationwide day of action against planned tuition fee increases, with walkouts from lessons, occupations of university buildings and marches/protests around the country. In London up to 5000 protesters marched, from school children to university age. After the riots and occupation of 30 Millbank two weeks earlier approximately 1500 police were deployed in London.
As the student march in London moved down Whitehall with the aim of reaching the Liberal Democrat Headquarters, they were met by a line of police blocking their way. Within 10 minutes missiles and smoke bombs were being thrown at police, and the students were pushing at the police line. A kettle was formed by the police containing about 3000 protesters (some as young as 12-13) within Whitehall. Various attempts were made by protesters to break police lines, with a police van left within the kettle damaged, graffitied and looted of the riot shields and helmets inside.
Fires were lit within the 'kettle' with poorly prepared protesters trying to keep warm in the cold.
By late afternoon/early evening large numbers of protesters were gathering outside the kettle and attempts made to break through police lines to reach the kettled protesters. There were reports of anxious parents turning up in Whitehall to confront police about the continued holding of their children within the 'kettle'. The eventual police clearance of Whitehall included a mounted police charge against students. Protests and disturbances continued around Trafalgar Square with shop windows being broken and smaller 'kettles' being formed.
For footage by journalist Fil Kaler see vimeo.com/17202729
DayX-Student tuition fee demonstration 24/11/10
Protesters march towards Trafalgar Square.
The National Union of Students called a nationwide day of action against planned tuition fee increases, with walkouts from lessons, occupations of university buildings and marches/protests around the country. In London up to 5000 protesters marched, from school children to university age. After the riots and occupation of 30 Millbank two weeks earlier approximately 1500 police were deployed in London.
As the student march in London moved down Whitehall with the aim of reaching the Liberal Democrat Headquarters, they were met by a line of police blocking their way. Within 10 minutes missiles and smoke bombs were being thrown at police, and the students were pushing at the police line. A kettle was formed by the police containing about 3000 protesters (some as young as 12-13) within Whitehall. Various attempts were made by protesters to break police lines, with a police van left within the kettle damaged, graffitied and looted of the riot shields and helmets inside.
Fires were lit within the 'kettle' with poorly prepared protesters trying to keep warm in the cold.
By late afternoon/early evening large numbers of protesters were gathering outside the kettle and attempts made to break through police lines to reach the kettled protesters. There were reports of anxious parents turning up in Whitehall to confront police about the continued holding of their children within the 'kettle'. The eventual police clearance of Whitehall included a mounted police charge against students. Protests and disturbances continued around Trafalgar Square with shop windows being broken and smaller 'kettles' being formed.
For footage by journalist Fil Kaler see vimeo.com/17202729