In spite of such deterring tactics the marchers did what they were there to do: denounce the draconian increase in tuition fees of up to three times the previous rate and the lack of investment in education justified by the national deficit whilst large corporations are allowed to avoid their fair share of tax contributions via loopholes and secret deals.
Why such strong-arm tactics by the Police? During last year’s demonstrations the Tory party headquarters on Millbank was trashed by splinter groups of student activists. So this year the law enforcement agents turned up, 4,000 of them, many in riot gear and with a few horses.
The march was largely peaceful in line with the new awareness that nonviolence is the best strategy. A group attempted to set up camp in Trafalgar Square but it was rapidly and forcefully removed. A little kettling, some arrests a tightly controlled operation. The demonstrators showed their sense of humour in some of the placards and music and dance gave much of the march a festive atmosphere. The Occupy the London Stock Exchange camp contributed also teach-ins.
More than a march, or a one off demonstration this appears to have been part of a process of awareness and networking moving in society in search of alternatives to a system that is not working and is abandoning its responsibilities towards the most vulnerable of its members.
Looking at the yellow wall surrounding the marchers, one could wonder if some of those policepersons felt they were also part of the demonstration, aware as they must be that the same system that is limiting the possibility to study for the young, is also coming after their jobs.
