Tuesday 19th April

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.

Students and others gathered at the Lakeside Arts Centre and marched through the University of Nottingham to demonstrate at the East Midlands Conference Centre

March on the AUA and Camp for the Radical Alternative

Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts enjoyed a sunny and noisy march to the East Midlands Conference Centre where their chants (what do we want? Free education! How do we get it? Occupation!) were met with nodding and even some applause from the Association of University Administrators.  

While infamous sexist Willets cancelled his keynote address to the AUA, NSAFC went ahead with their camp for the radical alternative holding anti-oppression workshops and engaging discussions. The cuts to and privatisation of education were discussed by a representative from the Campaign for the Public University and a PhD student explained the unequal effect of the cuts to public services on women.  It was noted that unemployment among young women was rising and that women were more affected by cuts to Arts and Humanities. It was suggested that women would be disproportionately taking on more unpaid work to cover the effects of the cuts to childcare, care for people with disabilities and services for the elderly. The news that women’s refugee centres across Nottingham were facing closure was met with anger as it was agreed women will face more violence and serious danger as a direct result.  

NSAFC and the assembled campers agreed that it will be necessary to take action against the cuts and build community solutions to them as radical alternatives to neo-liberal cuts were envisaged. 

Upcoming demonstrations, such as the May Day Rally and the next Uncut action were promoted. 

Local young people from colleges and secondary schools across Nottingham, students from both of the city’s universities and members of Notts SOS and Notts Uncut came together to enjoy food provided by local vegan catering co-operative Veggies as NSAFC built ever stronger links with the 

Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts

http://nsafc.wordpress.com/about

Notts Save our Services

http://nottssos.org.uk

Notts Uncut

http://www.nottsuncut.webeden.co.uk

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ALAN LODGE 

Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK

Email:                 tash@indymedia.org

Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu

Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]

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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.

                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"

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