About 50,000 people, mostly students, protested today in the United Kingdom against tuition increases imposed by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition currently in power. It seems like they had quite a rowdy time too. Here are some highlights from The Guardian‘s liveblog coverage:
Fires burning, eggs thrown, windows smashed, activists with scarves across their faces barricaded into a marble-clad lobby after exchanging punches with police, all to chants of “Tory Scum”. Feels like the 1980s here at Millbank Towers.
[…]Batons have been used, but police have been subjected to a constant barrage of missiles (mainly placard sticks and eggs, but I have seen bottles) and at least two officers have been injured. Protesters have also just managed to smash a three metre high window at the front of the building.
I can’t see this calming any time soon. Someone has just turned up with a drum’n’bass sound-system. Police have also drafted in their riot squad, the Territorial Support Group.
Helmets and full riot gear are out. As are about a thousand iPhones and digital cameras.
There’s some interesting video here of “Tory Scum” chants, and also:
Reports are also suggesting some students have occupied a London School of Economics building – hopefully we’ll have more on this soon.
wow! this is awesome! i wish you guys had more pics here…
meanwhile, at the 7th most expensive school in the world…