It was difficult to get an accurate picture of exactly what went on at this demo, since the march split up into several different sections. This was mainly due to the majority of students ignoring the NUS stewards, who throughout the day exhorted the demonstrators to follow the pre-determined plan strictly, and march only to Kennington Park, where a large rally was planned; speakers included Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London. I was told that 10,000 students were expected, and I daresay that the total was around this amount...probably not over it, but approximately 8,000 to 10,000 demonstrators were present.

The march started off in a pretty organised fashion, setting off from the Union building and marching down several London streets to the sound of a samba band. However, as the march attempted to turn right, it was blocked by the police, which led to a confrontation and a breakthrough by about 200 protestors. A bus and some traffic was blocked, and it took 40 minutes for the demonstrators to rejoin the main group and continue on. More strife wasn't far ahead...as the march reached the area of the Strand, NUS control had completely broken down, with students ignoring the stewards, and in some instances, doing exactly the opposite of what they were being told. At this point, about 1000 (or so I was told) protestors managed to avoid police lines and made their way to Parliament, having promised to hold a peaceful demonstration there.

As the march was finally re-routed by the NUS after several other groups attempted to march towards Parliament, thousands of students made their way across Waterloo Bridge. Here, another split occured, with around 1500 students refusing to move with the NUS party from Waterloo Bridge, and making plans to go to Parliament. The NUS march moved off to Kennington Park, whilst the remaining protestors (largely SWP dominated) moved off to the IMAX cinema in an effort to break through police lines. This failed, however, and as it became clear that a march to Parliament was unrealistic, a festival atmosphere emerged around Waterloo, with the samba band entertaining some, by now, very tired students. After 20 minutes of this, the remaining section of the march moved off to Kennington Park, arriving just in time to hear the Mayor, along with the leader of the Scottish NUS' revolt against tuition fees.

All in all, although the demonstration perhaps didn't go quite according to the NUS' plans, it was an extremely successful day, raising morale and raising the profile of the cause. Typically, despite traffic disruption and the carnival atmosphere, the march was nowhere to be seen on the mainstream news...but nevertheless, it showed that the fight against tuition fees continues.

OUR EDUCATION IS NOT FOR SALE.

Matt