Student Protests 09/12/2010 - London - Oxford street

Compact camera footage of student riots taking place on Oxford Street, Central London. Most of the damage and violence is perpetrated by a small minority - it's only when the riot police start attempting to kettle protesters that chaos and panic ensue.

Regardless of the method of protesting, perhaps the government has inadvertently inspired a new generation to show an interest in politics. Let's hope the anger and frustration can be channelled into effecting a positive change in the way this country is run. I stumbled upon this protest, after shops were evacuated on oxford street... quite powerful to witness so many young people furiously trying to make their voices heard. The violence depicted on the news was enacted by a very small minority - in actual fact, the majority of the protesters turned on anyone who attempted to smash windows or attack the police. I also have suspicions that some individuals may have been placed in the riot to cause destruction and provide the right wing media with a tasty anarchic headline to distract from the actual cause.

Incidentally, whilst all the fuss with tuition fees was going on - the government have surreptitiously put through a new finance bill, which will provide more tax breaks for bankers:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jS3ekkE8w0PinGpXdOMbe4...

http://falseeconomy.org.uk/
http://www.robinhoodtax.co.uk/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• student
• protest
• london
• 9/12/2010
• police
• violence
• riots

[HBurns44]

Keep the faith, dont give up. Government tactics are to discredit the students - take no notice - keep going. Mainstream news is not about facts anymore, but trying to influence public perception. The Government will try and discredit you, but don't waver. This is what happens when the you dont tow the governement line - they beat you down. Shame on you the coalition government - you lied & sold the students down the river who voted and trusted in you. Hang your head in shame Nick Clegg.

[ryko26]

freedom of the press? Read today's papers and suddenly all protesters are "thugs". But not the police of course.

[HBurns44]

The Government want peaceful prostests because at the end of the day nothing will be done and the government will go about their normal daily business. When protests causes a disruption then the government will take notice. The news isn't about facts and figures anymore but about opinions, emotion and influencing public perceptions. Dont let the government influence the public by brandishing students thuggish - the government are the biggest thugs and criminals - Remember that!!

[HBurns44]

The honest worker is taxed to high heven whereas the big bankers and companies get away with tax havens and not contributing to society like the normal working people. If these bankers contribtued and paid their taxes like everyone else maybe education could be free for everyone. Its the case now where only the rich can afford an education. Shame on the bankers who have no compassion or morals and only have £ signs in their eyes.

[11Rachee11]

Is looking forward to hearing "Equality for all"."Free Education", "Global Peace, Love, Unity" etc being chanted in protests... this shift from negative to positive will manifest wonders xxxxxxx Keep up the passion and determination watching these protest videos makes me feel sooo proud xxxxxxxx

[LightM4]

they should had make a booth there selling t-shirts saying I SURVIVE THE RIOT

[1966boy]

@timpetherick fair enough, its an opinion. i wouldn't put government in the same boat as country. plus, if you're a uni student and don't know what winston churchill represents, then they are really thick in the skull. stay outta danger though mate.

[timpetherick]

@1966boy In my opinion it is more important to have respect for people than your country. What the country (I would say the government more than the country but for some reason people put the two in the same boat) is doing to the people of this country and the world is quite simply disgusting. The people that are protesting are from all walks of life and the people that urinated on Churchill evidently don't understand what he represents (and they want to cut education?!)

[timpetherick]

@1966boy Ok, perhaps a bad judgement on my part. Under achieving rebel? Bad judgement on your part? Shall we compare gcse and a level grades lol? Anyway shying away from the point a bit here. How you think looking after yourself is making a positive difference on the world I don't know. Looking after yourself is making a positive difference on yourself and your body, it literally affects no one around you. Respect your Country? I'll write about that in another comment cos i'm out of letters....

[ChemicalMikeUK]

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