International Student Movement

I think it looks good.

Maybe you should also send a short mail to the ISM list pointing out that people can take a look and comment on layout suggestion for the "Newsletter".

Anyway, I only have one small correction to point out: it is "International Student Movement" - without the "s" :)

I think we should try to publish one every two weeks. So the first version should be published by Oct.21st or 22nd. That would be exactly two weeks after the "Global Wave" kick off. And we already have an impressive list of reports, I think.

Do you think we can do that?

And regarding the upload function. I am not sure, if I can actually change the setting and enable people to upload files. The website runs on an activists' server in Ireland and I think his space is rather limited.

Anyway, I created an account on archive.org for that, which can be freely used by everyone to upload file.
Login:
Password: unitedforeducation

Maybe that will do as well.

The "Global Wave of Action for Education" kicked off with a massive "Day of Action to Defend Education" in the U.S.A. on October 7th. Tens of thousands of people participated in about 80 protest actions against the increasing privatisation of public education, budget cuts, the de-democratisation within universities and constant increase of tuition fees in 25 states across the country.

Various rallies, sit-ins and teach-outs were held. One of the biggest sit-ins took place at the University of California (Berkeley) with about 600 students storming a library and squatting it until the night.

Almost everywhere speeches were held.
Here is an example by Eva v. Dassow, held on behalf of  the "Faculty for the Renewal of Public Education" during a rally at the University of Minnesota: http://www.emancipating-education-for-all.org/eva_drassow_speech

[embedding the speech inside the article in a seperate box]

In Bochum (Germany) students marked the kick-off with a banner drop. The following statement was sent in:

"While attending a meeting at the Ruhr-University of Bochum, activists discussed the idea behind the "Global Wave of Action for Education" and decided to express their solidarity on October 7th. In order to raise awareness of the International Student Movement, two banners were hung and flyers with the joint statement and an additional mobilisation text were distributed at the university.

We wish the very best to all the activists who organise protests around the world.

One world, one struggle!"

details on the day of action in the U.S.A.: www.defendeducation.org

The IMF Resistance Network called for protests against the annual IMF/Worldbank meeting in Washington DC (U.S.A.) from Oct.8-10th and linked these with a fundamental criticism on the capitalist system.

Among others rallies during the day and night were held as well as a "Festival of Rsistance" with workshops, games and music were organised.

The Network also endorses the international "joint statement" and understands its protests as part of the "Global Wave of Action for Education".

As stated on their website:

The IMF Resistance Network endorses the joint statement. We recognize that IMF “poverty reduction programs” have had a devastating effect on education at all levels everywhere they have been imposed, and urge everyone, student or otherwise, to take part in the Global Wave of Action.

One activist was assaulted by police forces during the protests and got buises on his head and a broken rip from repeated punshes and kicks. He was jailed for 36hrs and will face various charges.

details on the IMF Resistance Network: www.imfresistance.org

Report sent in by "Direct Action":

On October 12, over 20,000 students in the Ukraine took to the streets to protest the decision of the government to allow public universities to introduce new burdening fees. A total of 15 cities were protesting, from the West to the East of the country. (...)

The organizers of the protests are the independent student union "Direct Action" (“Priama Diya” in Ukrainian) and the "Foundation of Regional Initiatives". “Direct Action”, a left-wing syndicalist union striving for libertarian education, has been active in defending students’ rights and interests against the pressure of university administrations, neoliberal reforms and state special services.

A year ago, “Direct Action” was instrumental in arranging protests when the previous Timoshenko government intended to pass a similar decree on additional fees for students. Then, mass student protests prevented the adoption of the controversial decree. Now, in late August, the new Azarov government passed the 796 Decree that allows administration of universities to install fees for missed classes; for use of libraries, first-aid posts, gymnasiums and internet; for dissertation etc. The authorities are about to increase the fees for dormitories and to reduce the number of students educated for free as well, though the Ukrainian Constitution formally provides free higher education.

Contrary to the Ukrainian far right blaming some people in the government as ‘Un-Ukrainian’, independent student activists emphasize that the problem is not in personalities but in the system itself. They see the introduction of new fees as a part of the offensive of neoliberal capitalism against the social rights of people, particularly youth. They call for resisting such measures and want to extend their struggle.

In Kiev 2,000 students participated in the march to the buildings of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Administration of President demanding free education for all. Their slogans included “Liberty, Equality, Student Solidarity!”, “Knowledge not for sale!”, “Universities aren’t markets!” “Down with the ministers, down with the capitalists!”, “One solution – revolution!”, “Rebel, love, don’t give up your rights”. The banners stated “Student Solidarity”, “Down with social barriers!”, “Don’t Panic! Join us!”, “Remember 1968”, “Not for sale”, and the Orwellian-style “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength… Knowledge is Commodity?”. Near the governmental residence, activists voiced their demands to cancel the entire decree, not just its most offensive positions. They also read the solidarity greeting from the well-known Ukrainian author Serhiy Zhadan, and stressed out the international solidarity with the "Global Wave of Action for Education" and the endorsement of the "International Student Movement". A great number of “Direct Action” papers and leaflets calling for students’ self-organization and struggle were distributed.

The youth demo in Lviv was perhaps the largest. It gathered, by various estimates, from 5,000 to 7,000 people. United under the motto of free education, students of Lviv marched to the building of the regional administration where they held the picket. The building was attacked by unknown people who threw smoke bombs, tomatoes and eggs. However, ultimately the meeting ended peacefully.

In the Transcarpathian city of Uzhhorod, the protest organized by the "Foundation of Regional Initiatives" was attended by 600 or even 1000 young people, an enormous number for the smallest of 24 regional centers of the Ukraine. It was definitely the biggest demo in this city in recent years. (...)

Facing the rage of the students, president Yanukovich announced that the government decree would be suspended. However, this was revealed to be a lie to calm down the revolutionary students. The campaign against commercialization of education isn’t over. The struggle continues!

website: direct-action.org.ua

I could write a short article on two more protests (Essex + Indonesia). But first it might be good to see how much space there is left on the two pages.

I have tried to shorten all texts and now suggest the following content:

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About this newsletter

This newsletter is part of the communication infrastructure of the independent platform "International Student Movement" (ISM). The ISM is being used and shaped by education activists and groups around the world who are struggling against the increasing privatisation of public education and for free emancipatory education for all.

Currently the "Global Wave of Action for Education" is being coordinated, which explains the focus on protests related to that inside this edition.
The "Global Wave" kicked off with a huge "Day of Action to Defend Education" in the U.S.A. on October 7th and will continue with various actions worldwide at least until the end of November. It mainly consists of three elements: an international "joint statement", a "united symbol" and communication/coordination on the global level (e.g. using the infrastructure of the ISM).

This newsletter is the result of voluntary work done by a few individuals who are passionate about this issue. The positions expressed are not in any way representative for any group or the "International Student Movement" as a whole.

For further details:
website: http://www.emancipating-education-for-all.org
contact:

____

October 7th: The "Global Wave" kicked off !!

The "Global Wave of Action for Education" kicked off with a massive "Day of Action to Defend Education" in the U.S.A. on October 7th. Tens of thousands of people participated in about 80 protest actions against the privatisation of public education, budget cuts, the de-democratisation within universities and constantly increasing tuition fees in 25 states across the country.

Various rallies, sit-ins and teach-outs were held. One of the biggest sit-ins took place at the University of California (Berkeley) with about 600 students storming a library and squatting it until the night.

Almost everywhere speeches were held. To give you an example a speech held by Eva v. Dassow on behalf of  the "Faculty for the Renewal of Public Education" during a rally at the University of Minnesota has been published inside the forum of the "International Student Movement": http://www.emancipating-education-for-all.org/eva_drassow_speech

In Bochum (Germany) students marked the kick-off with a banner drop. The following statement was sent in:

"While attending a meeting at the Ruhr-University of Bochum, activists discussed the idea behind the "Global Wave of Action for Education" and decided to express their solidarity on October 7th. In order to raise awareness of the International Student Movement, two banners were hung and flyers with the joint statement and an additional mobilisation text were distributed at the university.We wish the very best to all the activists who organise protests around the world.
One world, one struggle!"

details on the day of action in the U.S.A.: www.defendeducation.org

____

Ok, i've updated it. Just overwrote the existing file ^^. Comment. I'm in the next hour in the ism.speeqe.com..
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wkr Kays