Administrate This! 19th April
anon@indymedia.org (Resist Austerity) | 19.04.2011 20:24
From 18th-20th April, the University of Nottingham hosted a meeting of the Association of University Administrators. Minister for Universities David Willetts was to attend, but had dropped out in advance. In response, Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts organised a protest.
With Willetts withdrawal and the fact that the event took place during the university's spring break meant that the turnout was not astonishing.
Protesters formed up next to the Lakeside Arts Centre, before marching through campus to the East Midlands Conference Centre where the meeting was taking place.
Security kept a low profile, only appearing just as students were marching up to the conference centre.
The conference attendees were not dressed in expensive suits and looked to be a mix of general university admin staff. They seemed bemused by the whole spectacle.
University security filmed the protesters apparently looking for specific personalities.
After around 10 minutes, protesters marched off to the Downs where a series of workshops had been planned.
Protesters discussed privilege and oppression within society in small groups and then began a broader discussion covering the impact of cuts on women, education cuts, academies and strategy.
In the evening, protesters planned to set up a "tent city." Unfortunately, I had other things to do and had to leave so I can't comment on how well this went.
anon@indymedia.org (Resist Austerity)
http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/1141