International Student Movement

I suggest the following texts for the 4th issue of "Reclaim Education":

Page 1

"Spring of Resistance"  - March - May 2011

Free and emancipatory education does not only benefit students in schools and universities, but also society at large. We, groups and activists around the world on the ISM platform, say "Our Fight is Your Fight just like Your Fight is Our Fight" and call upon labour and the community at large to join the fight students, teachers and parents are engaged in.

Massive protests were organized in various parts of the world including Austria, Bangladesh, Chile, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, not to mention South Africa, the UK, Ukraine and the U.S.A. in the past few months alone (see e.g. "Global Wave of Action for Education"). The demonstrations were not only against austerity measures that effect accessibility to education, but also to fight the increasing privatization of education, growing pressure to succeed, and a rising wave of questioning of the fundamental structures and functions of education systems.

To further the pressure locally and globally, groups, associations and individuals on the International Student Movement platform, who endorse the "International Joint Statement" came together to initiate the "Spring of Resistance" (SoR) from March to May 2011. That period will include a "Global Week of Action" (March 21-26th) as well as a "Global Day of Action" (May 2nd).

The framework of the SoR basically consists of the following three elements:

• "International Joint Statement" (consider endorsing it!):
  http://ism-global.net/international_joint_statement
• a united symbol (basically different versions of the picture on this page)
• common slogans (such as "One World - One Struggle" and "Free Emancipatory Education for All")

Individual groups and associations will organize their own actions during this period while the ISM provides the platform and the infrastructure to coordinate the mobilization across and between the regions. The timeframe of the “Spring of Resistance” marks an opportunity to strengthen the network between groups and activists and unite worldwide for free emancipatory education. Various social movements can be joined by the timing as well as by the framework of the “Spring of Resistance”.

In addition to sit-ins and demonstrations, events such as workshops and street theatre are planned by some to mark the resistance against the currently dominating education systems around the world. We want education for emancipation - not for profits!

The SoR will kick off on March 1st, which marks the beginning of the Month of Action to Defend Public Education across the U.S.A.. During the same month groups in Canada, the UK and Germany already announced protests for free education as part of the SoR. Make sure to announce your actions as well by sending a mail to , so that people worldwide will hear about them.
All details on the SoR: http://ism-global.net/SoR_2011

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.

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