Happy New Year!
From small beginnings in October 2010, Cambridge Defend Education has achieved a lot, both on a local level and as part of a massive student movement that has emerged nationally seemingly from nowhere, to fight against cuts to higher education and the increase in fees.
The autumn saw numerous protests in Cambridge from students and sixth formers targeting university management, local and national government; the hugely successful teach-in; and the occupation of Old Schools which provided a focal point for uni students, academics, 6th formers, schoolkids and workers from throughout Cambridge to get together and organise.
In December we left the occupation after eleven days – after a pitiful response from the university management – and once more took to the streets of London, being kettled and beaten outside Parliament whilst the vote to raise tuition fees to £9000 a year was passed within.
Now January is here, and the fight for education continues, in universities, colleges, sixth forms, schools and on the streets. The fight will also become a broader one, as the proposed cuts to the public sector become clearer. We have grown from very little to having an active and vocal student movement. This movement must now become a real force for change, using a diversity of tactics to engage, create, fight and win!
The Calendar shows how busy we will be, and we need everyone to get involved and help us organise.
