International Student Movement

March 26th:
Rally for Free Education in Kiev

More than 100 students rallied as part of the Spring of Resistance in the capital Kiev (Ukraine) in protest against fees as well as so called neoliberal reforms within education and for democratic structures at universities.

The protest was called by the independent student union "Direct Action" and also kicked off a national trade union congress. The demonstration began at the city centre and passed by three metropolitan universities. Posters explaining the students' vision of a better education system were pasted at each institution, among others at the University of Kiev.

During the march they called on all students to join them in their struggle to achieve a radical transformation of the education system. Towards the end red flares were lit and slogans such as "Free Education - Free Society", "For Education without Capitalism", "Freedom, Equality and Student Solidarity!" shouted.

During the demonstration some people even threatened protesters, arguing that students should "sit and learn and not go around and shout".

Reports in Ukrainian: direct-action.org.ua + zip-cn25.livejournal.com + samozahist.org.ua