Students Vs Police at Millbank, London as Fees Rise in California

Today in the UK, students fought police, and stormed a school building while chanting "TORY SCUM" (in reference to the Conservative Party), and wrote graffiti slogans on the walls. The riot came as around 50,000 students marched through London protesting the tuition increases, a protest organized by the National Union of Students. Thousands of students have since broken off from the main march and raided Millbank Tower, where the Conservative Party is headquartered. Students broke the windows on the main floor, and hundreds filled the lobby of the building. Police beat back the students, but as of this writing, students are still in the courtyard of the building. So far, 5 police have been reportedly injured; a total of 10 police and students have been taken to the hospital. Protesters have thrown bottles and other items, some on fire, at the police line. A bonfire has been lit in the courtyard. Picket signs have been lit on fire. Demonstrators have thrown fire extinguishers and other items at the police from the roof of the Millbank Tower.

As expected, student government bureaucrats and left-wing activists have condemned the violence as being the work of a small minority and as 'disgusting,' while many students claim that being confrontational and using direct action is the only thing at this point that has the possibility of creating change.


Meanwhile, back in California, students at CSUs (California State Universities) face even more fee hikes, as on Wednesday, the Board of Trustees voted to raise the fees again by 15%. When will students in California begin to rise up with the same ferociousness?