AROUND 100 students from London universities and their supporters, marched from University of London Union (ULU) and lobbied a meeting of university management against plans to close ULU and its political activities.
A delegation from the Young Socialists Students Society won support for their slogan: ‘No cuts no closures occupy ULU’.
NUS LGBT Officer Sky Yarlett was with the Goldsmith College delegation and said: ‘It’s important for ULU to exist as the heart of London student activity.
‘The move to close ULU is an attack on student democracy and has to be defeated.’
Students Union Vice President (Welfare) Sussex Coast College, Hastings, Vijay Jackson, said: ‘I’m here to show my solidarity for my comrades in London because by working together on smaller issues we can change the bigger picture.
‘All over the country we should be fighting for our rights and our voice, not just in education but also healthcare, industry etc.
‘We need a national demonstration to defend ULU and student democracy.’
At a rally at the end of the march, Young Socialists National Secretary Joshua Ogunleye said: ‘This is not just a march against cuts and closures, it’s also a march against privatisation of our education.
‘The right to access free of charge for students and the right for proper working conditions for workers can only be got through united action of workers, students and young people against the government’s bankrupt education policy.
‘The plan to close ULU is unacceptable and is an attack on students’ ability to organise politically.
‘We are faced with defending it through united action of workers, students and everyone, occupying to prevent closure, and taking the fight further to getting rid of this government and its bankrupt education policy.’
