World Education Newswire Archive

Tuesday March 21st: summary of the days events from libcom below.

This thursday is also another student day of action ahead of next week's general strike.

When Corporations Come to Campus:
Can Academic Freedom Survive in a Corporate World?

Wednesday 22nd March, 5.30-8.30pm
Institute for Advanced Studies, Lancaster University or on web: www.georgefox6.co.uk/conference.html

Education systems in free cities and regions must be very different to those of nation states. It is not just the methods of encouraging learning that will distinguish education in free cities from that of nation states, but the truth that the knowledge is rooted in. There is no point in swotting to pass examinations in subject knowledge that is wrong. Yet, that is exactly what young people in state education systems are doing. Neither they, or their parents, or their teachers realise this fact, but it remains the case.

There was some trouble in Paris but so far isolated. At Le Place de la Nation police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths who fought with police. The clashes lasted for around two hours. Around 14 arrests reported. 12 protestors and 4 police injured. Later reports speak of 50+ arrests though this is unclear if it's Paris or a national total for today.

First major estimate's of today's massive french protests put the figure above one million. Le Figaro is reporting that unions believe well over a million are now demonstrating against the CPE labour reform on the streets of France.

The Agency France Presses is now quoting organisers as giving a figure of 1,145,000 people...

Many more youth groups than just the students attended the demo. Also present was the working class and Algerian young of Paris both of whom have an axe to grind with the authorities. The CRS riot police kept their distance from the demo letting the marchers complete their route un-harassed until the end. At this point they made confrontation inevitable by blocking all routes away from the finish with tooled up riot squad.

It is impossible to give a number for the demo. There was no helicopter available to IMC UK. Tens of thousands marched against the CPE legislation possibly up to 100,000. The demo was loud and peaceful with few stewards and not a cop in sight. Several sound systems entertained the thousands over a route of several miles.

One mobilization from just one of the occupied Universities.

From Indymedia Paris

Thursday 16th March Update:
Well over 250,000 students in France took to the streets in protests against the CPE around the country. That's the official estimate, groups involved put the numbers much higher (300,000 according to the student union UNEF, 500,000 according to FIDL’S, and even 600,000 according to UNL’S). 70% of universities effected by occupations and protests, schools also occupied in many places. More roads blockaded, town hall occupied in Rennes, reports of fascists attacking student protestors in several locations, heavy clashes in central Paris and at Sevres and near Sorbonne area this evening with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon used as people fought riot police from 7.30pm, CNT union members arrested, reports of up to 300 total arrests today...

Mad Pride 2006 promises to be better than ever with plans underway for several events in Ireland, USA, Canada, France and even a Mad Pride celebration in Africa thanks to MindFreedom Ghana! Dan Taylor, who is the Secretary of MindFreedom Ghana based in Accra, Ghana, announced, "Our Theme for our Mad Pride event is 'Free Minds At Ease.'"

Tuesday 14th March France:

More nationwide demos, blockades, railway obstructions, occupations and street clashes as a student day of action opposed the CPE employment law. Updates from libcom below:

The text that follows introduced the ICC public meeting of 11th March in Paris, at which students and militants involved in the recent events debated their experience and the best means for spreading the movement.

For the last week protests, occupations and direct action against the CPE in France has been increasing. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in hundreds of demonstrations. Railways have been blockaded, airports disrupted, and around half of France's universities have seen occupations. Clashes with police have occured throughout the country.

Much international publicity has come from the occupation and violent eviction of the Sorbonne university in Paris (video below). With the media making the obvious 1968 comparisons, riot police stormed the university building firing tear gas at around 4am on Saturday after hours of resistance from the occupiers and their supporters outside. There were around 30 arrests. The university had been occupied since Tuesday night with tensions increasing. On Friday police batton charged students who were blocking a road near to the university.

Riot police have stormed the Sorbonne University in Paris, forcing out students who have been occupying the building since Wednesday in protest against government labour laws.

Since yesterday evening, the legendary university Sorbonne in the Latin
Quarter of Paris is occupied. Even though the CRS (French Riot Police)
was present, the occupation could be held throughout the night...A new
chance for social change?

The following is the mission statement for an investigative/altenative, non-profit, convergent newsroom at the University of Houston that is looking for student reporters in the UK.

Inspirational. Be sure to check the photos on the link provided.

 http://tacticalmagic.org/CTM/project%20pages/TICU.htm

The World Soccer Championship 2006 are approaching. FIFA has promoted a questionable initiative to build 6 villages for orphans. But they still have time to change their proposal and build 500 together with 50 hospitals to grant free health service all over Africa.

Announcing a Permaculture wiki project