Violent Student Protesters in the UK..

[bluespiano]

<p>I think the rise is supposed to cover the money cut because of the deficit which, if that is the case, seems kind of silly since it’ll still be government spending because of student loans and they won’t be any better off for a few years so it seems kind of pointless and potentially dangerous when on the way out of a recession. </p>

<p>I imagine attacking the car with Prince Charles in was something to do with the fact that he lives what is viewed as a life of luxury, paid for by the state, but kids just starting out in life will have to take on up to £9000 debt every year if they want to go to university. A lot of people are pretty bitter about the way we support the monarchy since it’s a pretty outdated concept as, as people have pointed out, she doesn’t have a direct political influence any longer.</p>

[HarryJones]

<p>

I like how the the opinions of America and the UK have sort of reversed. Back in the day, England was the definition of conservative and the US was this exciting, revolutionary new nation. Now the UK is this amazingly cosmopolitan place where 14 and 15 year old kids are willing to protest overnight in the cold while America is this backwards, socially conservative country of overly complacent citizens.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that this all begun as a peaceful protest. Then mounted police began charging students, kids were kettled overnight in the cold, more than a few people were knocked down and almost trampled, and more and more protesters are being hospitalized after encounters with the police. Let’s look at a recent article written today: Student protests - [Student</a> protests - “Someone is going to get killed” / Britain / Home - Morning Star](<a href=“http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/98689]Student”>http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/98689)</p>

<p>If you ask me, the US student population is overwhelmingly indifferent about politics. The majority of non-students in the UK and people in the US (those who have heard about the riots, at any rate, seeing as I very rarely see any news about it over here) are of the opinion that we are dealing with a bunch of self-entitled college kids who are rioting just for the hell of it.</p>

<p>Here’s how it went down:</p>

<ul>
<li>Prior to the May 2010 general election, Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, pledges that he will vote against any proposed increase in tuition if elected to Parliament. He receives a fairly substantial vote from the student population.</li>
<li>Following the election, he forms a coalition government with Conservatives</li>
<li><p>The Browne Review is published, suggesting that the government increases the max tuition from £3000 to £9000.</p></li>
<li><p>Demo 2010, a police approved student march past the Houses of Parliament, begins.</p></li>
<li><p>The march turns ugly as a faction of about 200 students storm the Millbank Tower. They are criticized by the majority of those attending, even as it escalates into a riot.</p></li>
<li><p>Riot police are called in.</p></li>
<li><p>Two weeks later, the Whitehall March begins.</p></li>
<li><p>A police car is left among the students, presumably to entice students to vandalize it and thus provide justified cause of arrest. A group of students encircle the van and prevent protesters from vandalizing it.</p></li>
<li><p>The protest is still peaceful, just very noisy.</p></li>
<li><p>Police begin to kettle the crowd. Mounted police charge students.</p></li>
<li><p>About 200 students remain kettled for the next 9-10 hours.</p></li>
<li><p>More protests at Trafalgar Square.</p></li>
<li><p>More kettling.</p></li>
<li><p>Dec 9: Parliament votes on the tuition fees. Students are charged once again by mounted officers, many being beaten by batons while trying to flee Trafalgar Square.</p></li>
<li><p>The car in which Prince Charles and co. are riding in are attacked.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>TL;DR? We’re dealing with two-faced politicians and multiple accounts of police violence on school-aged children. Max tuition is significantly raised. Prince Charles gets a glimpse of reality. What began as peaceful protests turn violent.</p>

<p>I have friends in London who were part of the riots. They are adamant in stating that only a very small group of people wanted to riot, and that the majority were there with peaceful intentions. Tension escalated when police began using physical force to intimidate them. Take from this what you will, but I certainly understand why things are going as badly as they are.

A very interesting read.</p>

[noimagination]

<p>

In America, costs are much worse.

Actually, the new maximum cost (9000 pounds) is a good deal more expensive than tuition and fees at most public universities here in the US.</p>