Student campaign group, Free Education for Everyone (FEE) is planning to planning to stage a blockade of Bertie Aherns appearance at a debate on the Lisbon Treaty, tonight at 7pm in UCD’s O’Reilly Hall. Following a blockade of Brian Lenihan by the group last September, Martin Mansergh, Mary Hannafin and Conor Lenihan were forced to pull out of other scheduled appearances at the college.

Ben McCormick, second year History student stated, “Bertie Ahern and the government constructed our economy like a house of cards. Now that’s it’s fallen apart, students are left to pick up the pieces for a lack of public investment in education. The reintroduction of fees or a loan system will negatively impact on students from lower socio-economic backgrounds entering third level education”.

Paul Stewart, second year arts student stressed, “Education shouldn’t be a debt sentence. The scarcity of part-time work and the lack of an adequate grant system means that many students are already in debt as they try to cover the costs of education. Heaping more debt on students in the form of fees will only make the situation worse. If the government are going to block our access to education, we’re going to block their access to our campus.

FEE is a grassroots campaign group which was started by students and staff in UCD in September 2008 to fight against the the reintroduction of third level fees, increases in the registration fee, cutbacks and the commercialisation of education. Branches have spread to Trinity, NUI Maynooth, Galway, Limerick and Cork. Last year the group organised numerous protests, blockades and occupations.

ENDS

Press Release: UCD students plan Bertie Blockade is a post from Free Education for Everyone

UCD Free Education for Everyone are holding a protest against the arrival of pro-fees TD, Bertie Ahern on campus.

Meet outside the library, today at 6:30pm.

Ah Jaysis, a protest? That’s counterproductive lads, cud yis not send an angry email to me secretary instead?

The man who helped build the Irish economy like a house of cards is coming to UCD to chair a LawSoc debate on the Lisbon Treaty. Ahern is still a TD and will get wheeled out to vote for the reintroduction of fees & a fresh set of cutbacks in this Decembers budget – and he’ll get away with it unless some pesky kids can stop him.

In addition, UCD Siptu Education branch are currently fighting against the colleges attempt to force through compulsory redundancies.

In a series of policy documents, both the government and Fine Gael have charted a course for higher education in Ireland. Among the proposals are:

• The introduction of a student contribution (deferred loans, extra prsi contributions) to cover the costs of tuition

• A reduction in public funding with the gap being filled by a reliance on private companies & philantropists (institutionalised charity)

• Redirecting funding away from Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences in order to increase the funding of more ‘commerically productive’ courses

• Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to allow private consortiums to build and manage educational facilities

• Using PPPs to privatise ancillary services such as cleaning, maintenance & security, in order to undermine pay & work conditions

There’s no point standing on the sidelines watching this happen. The future of education is up for grabs – it’s up to students and staff to take control of it.

If the government are going to block our access to education, we’re going to block their access to our campus.

Brian Lenihan blockade 2008 – http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89547
FEE scare off Martin Mansergh 2008 – http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89395
Another one bites the dust. Conor lenihan pulls out 2008 – http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89840
Eamon O’Cuiv gets ‘welcomed’ in NUIG – http://www.sin.ie/site/view/288/
Noel Dempsey gets blockaded 2002 – http://free-education.info/2002/10/16/ucd-students-barr…ding/

brian lenihan protest 2008

FEE protest @ the UCD clinton building 2008

Noel Dempsey gets welcomed to ucd 2002

Dempsey protest @ ucd vet building 2002

UCD FEE Protest: Bertie’s coming to Belfield is a post from Free Education for Everyone

The commission’s proposal to reduce students’ eligibility period for state financial assistance from six years to four has met with disapproval with university students across the country. But students at Roskilde University are the first to have taken action against the proposal.

The students began the blockade at 7:45 this morning but later dispersed, with hundreds of students gathering at a 9:30 meeting on the issue at the university cafeteria.

Full article : http://www.cphpost.dk/culture/culture/44775-student-blockade-over-grant-cuts.html

Copenaghen, Denmark : Student blockade over grant cuts is a post from Free Education for Everyone

As the anti-fees offensive heats up, a recently formed student campaign group in UCD, Free Education for Everybody (FEE), staged a protest on Monday the 20th of October against the arrival of Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, on campus. Mr. Lenihan was chairing a function at the Clinton Institute in Belfield. President of the UCD SU, Aodhan O’Dea, said that “UCD Students’ Union supported the protest.”

Students obstructed the entrance and the minister was forced to enter the building via a side door amidst chants of “No cutbacks, no fees, no Fianna Fail TDs” and “This government has disgraced themselves”. The protest turned violent when students attempted to break through a metal fence surrounding the building. Scuffles broke out and three people were arrested for breaches of the peace. Dan O’Neill, Deputy President and Campaigns Officer of UCD SU, was one of the three targeted by the Gardai. His version of events was, “We sat down on the road to block the Minister’s car as had been planned and then the Gardai dragged me and two others out of the line and threw us into a patrol car.” However, they were released immediately with only a caution. No charges were made.

Government ministers and TDs had previously been warned by students to expect protests if they decide to visit UCD while the debate on third-level fees continues. Speaking to the University Observer in UCD, Paul Murphy, a student campaigner said, “If these ministers are going to try to block students’ access to college, then we’re going to send them a message when they come out to colleges.” He added that, “political guests shouldn’t be able to just waltz into colleges, speak at meetings and not hear the response of students which is opposition to fees.”

Prior to Monday evening’s events, a protest had been planned against a proposed visit by Minister of State, Martin Mansergh, on the 7th of October. Mr. Mansergh had been due to speak at a Law Soc debate. The campaigners had envisaged a “peaceful protest of students angrily giving a message to Minister Mansergh.” However, half an hour before the debate, word reached Belfield that the Minister had pulled out. Deciding to persevere with the protest nonetheless, over 50 people marched from outside the Library, up through the concourse and into the Arts Block where they rallied outside Theatre M.

A meeting was held afterwards to organise an official student campaign group, which was christened Free Education for Everybody (FEE). A member of the new group, Julian Brophy commented – “Martin Mansergh withdrew from the debate at the last minute upon hearing of the student mobilisation against fees. This is a clear indication that the government and its representatives are unable to provide adequate answers for the students whose education is going to be compromised if fees are reintroduced.”

In 2002-2003, the then Minister of Education Noel Dempsey had to withdraw his proposal to bring back college fees after a wave of student unrest.

Julian Brophy added, “For too long we have had our backs against the wall fighting against the step-by-step increase in the privatisation of education. We need to start forcing the government to respond to our agenda rather than responding to theirs. It is up to the students to send out a strong message that they are not prepared to have their education right based on their financial circumstance.”

Trinity News: UCD fees protest sees three students arrested is a post from Free Education for Everyone

The number of students involved in the protest reached about 150.

More than 20 Gardai were on Duty as well as a number of private security officers at the time of the arrests.

Students who were part of the campaign group, Free Education fo Everyone, blocked the vehicle access to the building where Mr Lenihan was due to attend the function.

Fee is a campaign group, established by students and workers in UCD to fight againts the increase in the registration fee, cutbacks and the proposed reintroduction of third level fees.

In last week’s budget, Minister Lenihan announced a 67% increase in the college registration fee and below inflation increases in the education budget.

Before the event took place yesterday, FEE campaign spokesperson, Julian Brophy said:’ As long as members of government pursue policies which would block students access education, we will block their access to our campus.

‘The 67% increase in the registration fee is an attempt to sneak in fees through the back door, and belittles the rhetoric that only the rich would be targetted to fund education.’

In 2002, UCD students successfully blockaded Noel Dempsey inside the Vetinary Sciences Centre in the Belfield campus, for over two hours, in response to the ministers announcement that he was going to reintroduce tuition fees.

The grouo recently forced Minister of State, Martin Mansergh, to withdraw from attending a UCD Law Society debate. They also successfully conducted a banner-drop on the N11 flyover outside the campus.

UCD is the largest university in Ireland with over 22,000 students.

Metro: Two Arrested in Lenihan Fee Protest is a post from Free Education for Everyone

Two men have been arrested for public order offences at University College Dublin (UCD) ahead of a scheduled lecture where Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan was due to appear.

Students protesting against third level fees staged a sit-down protest at the College ahead of the minister’s arrival and gardaí removed a number of the students.

The men, aged 18 and 21, were arrested shortly before 6pm and were taken to Donnybrook Garda Station.

Minister Lenihan later attended a lecture at UCD’s Clinton Institute of American Studies.

Speaking earlier, Julian Brophy of the campaign group, Free Education for Everyone (FEE), said: “As long as members of government pursue policies which would block access to education, we will block their access to our campus.”

“The 67% increase in the registration is an attempt to sneak fees in through the backdoor, and belittles the rhetoric that only the wealthy would be targeted to fund education.”

“In 2002, UCD students successfully blockaded Noel Dempsey inside the Veterinary Sciences Centre in Belfield for over two hours, in response to the 69% increase in the registration fee brought in that year. We are looking to build on that tradition”

© 2008 irishtimes.com

Irish Times: Two arrested at UCD fees protest is a post from Free Education for Everyone

Today hundreds of students sat down to prevent the minister of education, Noel Dempsey, leaving the Vets building in UCD. Barricades were erected to prevent his car leaving

The protest organised by the Campaign for Free Education assembled at 12:30 and then proceeded to the Vets building where the minister for education, Noel Dempsey, was opening the building.

The hundredds of students sat down on all the doors and prevented access to the building. All people wishing to enter the building had to seek approval of the students by a vote.

At the sides of the building all exits for the ministers car were blocked by barricades errected by the students.

For 2 hours the minister was unable to leave the building. The college authorities eventually snook him out a fire exit.

Another feature of the protest was the presence of SU president, FF member, and supporter of fees, Aonghus Hourihane in the building, and not outside it! Aoghus Hourihane made himself into a hate figure by prancing in the front entrance in his suit. After the protest students went to the Student Cente to demand Hourihane’s resignation.

UCD students barricade minister into building is a post from Free Education for Everyone

Secretary of the Campaign Paul Murphy commented that
‘It was a very successful protest, we succeeded in blocking Lenihans access to our college, in a manner similar to how the governent blocked access to ordinary people.’

Group Spokesperson Paul Dillon said
‘The CFE is fighting for truly free education for all. We are agitating not only against the registration
fees but also for an increase in the student mainteannce grant and for increased measures to combat educational disadvantage.’

James Redmond, PRO for the Campaign commented that
‘There is a certain irony in the fact that the demo took place outside the opening of The Institute for the Study For Social Change. The only change Lenihan and his ilk are interested in is clawing back any gains won by students. Well, we in the CFE will not rest untill the Irish Government gets its hand of our right to free education.’

UCD Students Blockade Fianna Fail Junior Minister is a post from Free Education for Everyone

Over 60 students engaged in a walking picket and sit down blockade at the opening ceremony of the new Arts Annex at University College Dublin. The protest organised by the Irish Campaign for Free Education (CFE) came on the back of a meeting of ordinary students held in UCD last week. Originally it was believed that Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy would be present at the opening ceremony, and the protest was originally concieved to voice anger at him. However, members of the Campaign believe McCreevy quickly backed out when the possibility emerged that he would be confronted with a repeat of last weeks Late Late Show. Later in the week, coinciding with the USI occupation of the department of education along with members of the CFE, a protest had been planned by the CFE to disrupt a visit by Bertie Ahearn, who was going to address the UCD Fianna Fail Cumann. The Taoseach is believed to have pulled out of his engagement due to the agitation of students involved in the CFE.
Aidan Regan from Tallaght and studying philosophy and politics said;
“The blockade was extremely important as it illustrates the sheer anger of the ordinary students.The fact that ordinary students were willing to throw themselves in front of cops suggest the goverment should take action now before the esculation of radicalism takes its toll.”

While members of USI and the CFE occupied the boardroom, members of the CFE engaged in protests at the gates. When the Gardai smashed the seige, members of the CFE engaged in a successful blockade of the gates of the department, forcing the police to release the protesters through a side door, unarrested.

Secretary of the Campaign Paul Murphy commented that;
‘Both were very successful protests, we succeeded in blocking Lenihans access to our college and the Governent to its department of education, in a manner similar to how the governent blocks access to ordinary people.’

James Redmond, PRO for the Campaign commented that
‘The protest in UCD on Tuesday and the occuaption on Wednesday are only the beginning of a movement of ordinary students for free education. There is a certain irony in the fact that the Tuesday demo took place outside the opening of The Institute for the Study For Social Change. The only change Lenihan and his ilk are interested in is clawing back any gains won by students. Well, we in the CFE will not rest untill the Irish Government gets its hand of our right to free education.’

Later in the week, coinciding with the USI occupation of the department of education along with members of the CFE, a protest had been planned by the CFE to disrupt a visit by Bertie Ahearn, who was supposedly going to address the UCD Fianna Fail Cumann. The Taoseach is believed to have pulled out of his engagement due to the agitation of students involved in the CFE.

Campaign For Free Education, is newly formed group of ordinary third level students has slammed the governments decision to increase college registration fees by 69% and Tuesday’s announcment of a possible return to full fees.

Group PRO Paul Dillon said;
“This is a serious attack on access to education in this country. The move will increase the drop out rate from colleges, and present a further barrier to higher education.”

The group is calling on all students and their families to mount opposition to the increase. the Campaign believes that it is only through mass action of ordinary students that the fee increase will be defeated. The campaign is not just fighting for a rolling back to July 17th, before the current increase, but for truly free education which means an end to all financial obstacles placed in the way of students.

Group Secretary Paul Murphy said;
“Students must launch a substantial and concerted campign aganist fees. I fear that the fee will be increased next year unless students launch a significant campaign.”

The group also condemned the governements decision to slash the budget of third level access schemes, designed to make entry to college easier for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The group’s spokesperson James Redmond said that
“The recent attack on students fits in to a wider context of attacks upon public services and ordinary people. If the Skilbeck report issued a number of months ago is anything to go by then unless we organise a fightback now, we can expect further attacks on education, such as the reintroduction of full fess and an abolition of the grant similar to what has happened on the continent.”

Student Protests Continue To Escalate. is a post from Free Education for Everyone