Press Release:
Over 30 college students from the Free Education for Everyone (FEE) staging a direct action protest at the Department of Finance on Merrion Street upper. Students from FEE have occupied the building itself while more have blockaded the entrances to the department as part of the protest.This is in protest against the Government’s recent budget and the planned reintroduction of college fees.
Julian Brophy, a student from UCD and one of involved in the peaceful protest commented:
“This protest is taking place in order to highlight the shameful action on the part of the government in it’s recent budget, the implications of which will see unbearable strain placed on young people, students and college workers. The government has shown callous disregard in it’s attempts to re-introduce college fees while slashing spending on education, burdening college workers with an income tax levy, and reducing the social welfare payments to those unemployed, under 20 years of age, despite a massive increase in unemployment.”
Donal Fallon, a NUIM student added:
“We oppose education cutbacks, the re-introduction of fees, in any form, and the attack on college workers. The actions of the government will force many young people out of this country. We demand Education not Emigration!”
To speak to a member of FEE involved in the protest:
Ring Jonathan at 0876851019 or Emma at 0871342896.
ENDS
About Free Education for Everyone:
Free Education for Everyone (FEE) campaign is a national grassroots group of students and college workers active across the country. We are organised on campuses in University College Dublin, NUI Maynooth, Trinity College Dublin, NUI Galway, University College Cork, and the University of Limerick.
In October 2008, FEE activists were involved in the two hundred strong blockade of Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan in UCD. In December, twelve students from UCD FEE occupied the office of Paul Gogarty Green Party TD for Dublin Mid-West and Spokesperson on Education in Lucan Village. On the same day FEE occupied the UCC’s President’s Office and Galway FEE occupied the office of Eamon O’Cuiv, Fianna Fail TD and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Later that month, Galway FEE was involved in the blockade of Eamon O Cuiv and Batt O’Keefe to NUIG. In February 2009, FEE led a breakaway protest during the USI national protest against fees, which saw hundreds of students staged a sit down protest outside the Dail.
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/91935
