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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 February 2014
Leicester Socialist Students member arrested during peaceful protest
Leicester Socialist Students
On 6 February a Leicester Socialist Students member was arrested when taking part in a peaceful protest in support of striking university workers.
He has now been released and charged over an alleged incident that took place during a Leicester University occupation in December 2013.
Why have police waited almost two months to make the arrest on a day when workers and students were taking action together?
The arrest is part of a concerted attempt to criminalise protest and deter people from fighting back.
Other Leicester students have also been targeted by the police. Nationally, we have seen police violence on campuses and a general assault on democratic rights.
A day after the arrest, a rally was held in protest. At the same time, a sculpture was being unveiled by the vice-chancellor outside the university.
Protesters took the opportunity to challenge the vice-chancellor. There's money for statues but not for the 10% of Leicester University workers who are paid less than the living wage!
Leicester is also one of eleven universities which have docked a whole day's pay from lecturers for every two-hour UCU strike (see page 4).
We will continue to stand up against this intimidation and campaign for the education we have a right to receive.
Members from Socialist Students will be running for student union sabbatical officer positions. This will provide a valuable platform for our ideas, and an opportunity to forge a truly activist environment in a formerly conservative university. Elections take place on 23-26 February.
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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our special coronavirus appeal.
In The Socialist 12 February 2014:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Floods misery: Government cuts to blame
What future for Labour and the unions?
Fast food workers want decent pay and conditions
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Sheffield kicks off election year with 7.6% vote
Standing up against cuts in Reading
Waltham Forest: Rally for rent control
Lewisham Labour no use in the Lions' Den
London Underground dispute
Tube strike first round: Trade Unions 1 - Johnson 0
London tube stoppages show workers can win
State attacks trade union action
Socialist Party workplace news
Posties vote yes - where now for postal workers?
Higher Education: Striking for an improved pay offer
Reviews and readers' comments
The Square: bravery and disappointment in Egypt
Housing crisis hell: a worker's view
Don't trust Labour with our NHS
2004 Morecambe Bay tragedy: Has anything changed?
Tebay disaster: Workers' grievances can't be sidelined
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Councils continue making Con-Dem cuts
Brighton solidarity with LGBTQ+ Russians
Leicester Socialist Student arrested in peaceful protest
WASP: South African elections announced
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