Students Respond to Batt Signal

thousands march against fees plan

Between ten and twelve thousand people turned out in bright sunshine today to demonstrate against the Green Party/Fainna Fáil plan to impose fees for third level education.

FF Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe called for consideration of re-imposition of fees earlier this year, and "registration fees" were massively increased in the recent budget. He has signalled that he intends to introduce legislation on third level fees in the new year.

Protesters at the march in Dublin were mainly students, but they were joined by secondary school pupils, teachers, and activists from leftwing political parties, notably Labour and Sinn Féin.

The size of the crowd seemed to to surprise the gardaí, who deployed the horse unit and dog handlers to patrol the march. It's the first time the garda mounted police have been used in a protest setting, according to some of the veteran marchers present.

The march was peaceful and good humoured, although the gardaí seemed to become jumpy when a section of the crowd started chanting "Shell to Sea!".

Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has made no statement in response to the march. He is currently in China. Perhaps he is asking the Chinese government for tips on handling student demonstrations?

Caption: Video Id: OepjwfgFqtA Type: Youtube Video
YouTube video of Student demonsration against fees. Video