Very proud of my niece Lauren Matthews who made this first film.
Scenes you wouldn't expect to see out side the houses of Parliament!
Two surprising factors to bear in mind though. 1, This is the Met Police in full riot regalia and 2, the subjects being "Kettled" are students.
This is not the Socialist Worker, this is not a re-run of the Poll Tax Riots - (I was on that march and it was scary) This is not Class War or EDL (English Defense League) thugs.
This is the generation of people who are supposed to be tapping away on their laptops, speaking to their mates on Facebook. This is the apathetic generation who are supposed to be addicted to X-box and pizza. The Coca-Cola kids with no more protest in them to argue about the difference in taste from un-sweetened to Cherry flavor.
I am so happy the students have shown this un-elected government that it is no longer dormant or ready to just take injustice. I have a sense of faith restored that the young people of today DO have a focus and will fight for their future.
The Government were caught sleeping! and Nick Clegg is now viewed with more distrust than another modern day British politician. Are they really that out of touch that they thought they could usher through massive fee hikes on already struggling students. A potential £9000 per year debt for their student fees. They have a fight on their hands! Not since the Poll Tax protests and anti war marches in the early nineties has a generation be so galvanized in it's resolve to fight this injustice. I for one fully support them and will NOT condemn them for superficial damage to parliament or the odd copper getting a couple of bruises. All's fair in a protest like this. Expect broken heads (Alfie Meadows)! Expect rough treatment of defenseless individuals! - even wheelchair bound individuals.
This is the first round! Theses are the first cuts!. The government probably thought they will start the deficit cutting program with an easy target like the Students. Cameron, Osbourne and the rest of the millionaire club in 10 downing street were were shocked.
This is just the start! There is much worse to come, wait till the weather gets a bit warmer and the Public service sector workers pay cuts started taking their grip! Then there is the individuals on benefits, the middle class child benefit cuts, police services, fire services, councils, charities, housing etc. The list grows by the week. Then there is the rise in VAT! This affects everyone! We will all pay 2.5 % more for everything other than baby cloths.
The government have really fucked up here. How can they justify the cuts AND raise VAT at the same time? They blame it on the deficit! Bullshit Cameron - Check this for an explanation.