[ENS] As government cuts grants and student numbers, join the call for a national demonstration!

[Education Not for Sale]

Update on the call for a national demonstration against fees, debt and
marketisation

1. New Labour cuts grants and student numbers

On Wednesday 29 October, the Government confirmed to the Guardian that
it plans to slash eligibility for student grants, and cut student
numbers by up to 10,000.
For the details, see the Guardian article
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/oct/29/students-highereducation
and the ENS website http://www.free-education.org.uk/?p=561
This obviously makes the need for national action against fees and for
a properly funded education system even more urgent. If you haven't
signed the statement, put it to your SU, invited a speaker etc etc,
please do now!

2. NUS Women's Campaign backs call

NUS Women's Campaign has voted to support the call for a national
demonstration. For a report see
http://www.free-education.org.uk/?p=562
Please circulate this information to your women's group, women's
officer etc and ask them to also back the call.

3. 10,000 Irish students demonstrate for free education

On 22 October, Irish students brought Dublin to a standstill when
10,000 demonstrated against increased university registration charges,
budget cuts and threats to reintroduce fees - see
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1023/1224625124742.html.
As a proportion of the membership of the Union of Students in Ireland,
this is equivalent of 200,000 in Britain; in stark contrast to the
Blairite-led NUS's total passivity in the face of New Labour attacks.
It can be done!

4. Activist meeting to discuss demonstration, 8pm, Friday 31 October,
London Bridge

Education Not for Sale activists will be caucusing on the evening of
Friday 31 October, after the anti-capitalist demonstration in the City
of London and in advance of Saturday's "Another Education is Possible"
conference the next day. We will also be caucusing at the conference
itself. Come along to discuss the demonstration and other free
education campaigning
8pm, Friday 31 October, the Anchor Tap pub, Horsleydown Lane, SE1 2LN,
near to Tower Hill, London Bridge and Bermondsey stations. For a map
see http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=533642&y=180051&z=1&sv=horselydown+lane&st=6&tl=Horselydown+Lane,+London,+SE1&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf
Another Education is Possible is from 11am till 5pm, Saturday 1
November, at SOAS, near Russell Square. See
http://www.anothereducationispossible.org.uk
For more information or to meet us on Saturday, email Daniel at
skillz_999 at hotmail.com or ring 07961 040 618

What else you can do:

Invite people to join the Facebook group
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41870918296&ref=ts
Circulate the information on email lists
Email education.not.for.sale at gmail.com to add your name
Put the model motion to your SU or campaigning group
Invite a speaker to your university or college

Get in touch!