The newly established local group Sneinton Against The Cuts are holding a meeting on Saturday 27th November at 12pm in Sneinton Hermitage Community Centre. For more information email sneintonagainstthecuts [at] gmail.com, or find Sneinton Against The Cuts on facebook.
Tag: city
Nottingham happenings over university fees hike and follow up action on 30th Nov
NEW: See COVERAGE WITH PHOTOS OF NOTTM UNI DEMO AND BINGHAM TOOT HILL SCHOOL PROTEST ON NOTTS INDYMEDIA. See also: http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Students-make-fees-protest
Around 60 students form Toot Hill school in Bingham walked out of classes as part of the Day of Action. Students congregated on the steps of the Council House at around midday.
At 2.00pm there was a Rally outside the Portland Building at the University of
Nottingham and more than 50 marched to the Trent building with banner. See COVERAGE OF MARCHES IN NOTTINGHAM, LINCOLN, LEICESTER ON ITV CENTRAL NEWS.
At 4.00pm there was a ‘Teach In’ inside the Portland Building, where 40 students, staff and other NottsSOS members met to work towards future activities: Watch this space!
And all day the Tory Party HQ in Nottingham was closed because they thought it would be attacked again. It’s good that they have had to acknowledge the strength of feeling against them, and nice of them to save us the trouble of demonstrating there by closing down anyway!
Let us know if we have missed any events you were involved in.
We want to encourage more students – at school, college and uni – to take action and work together. Nottingham has never been especially radical in terms of student politics. However, direct action has been taken at University of Nottingham several times on various issues. When the war in Iraq began hundreds of school children walked out of class to join a massive city centre demo. So we can do it!
If we could get a massive reaction in Nottingham against the introduction of higher tuition fees and threats to Educational Maintenance Allowance for younger students, that would be proof that this current unrest is no flash in the pan but indicative of a desire for real social change. Young people will take what they are entitled to if the ConDems won’t listen, and their teachers and Notts SOS will support them.
See also: UK COVERAGE on The Guardian website and on BBC.
Plan for follow up STUDENT STRIKE on Tuesday 30th November (Facebook link).
NEW: View poster for 30th November follow up action.. Contact email NSACAF@GMAIL.COM
Education, Education, Education – university fees and Gedling school protests in Nottingham on Wed/Thurs
NEW: What happened in Nottingham on the 24th? [report with links to photos and midlands TV coverage]
NEW (from London demo): Mounted Police charge protesters at Whitehall 24 November : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgxwTF-qeAo
Commentary on Guardian website: Student protests: video shows mounted police charging London crowdMet police issue denial but witnesses tell of terrifying ordeal.
24 November: National Walkout against Student Fees and Cuts. In our region, so far there are walkouts being advertised in Leicester, Lincoln and Loughborough and Nottingham.
University of Nottingham action confirmed for Wed 24th is as follows: Rally at 2pm on Portland Building steps [view campus map – PDF]. Download Teach-in Leaflet. Then meeting at University of Nottingham, 4PM, ROOM D138 PORTLAND BUILDING, NOTTINGHAM UNI to join students and staff in open discussion. Speakers from University and College Union (UCU), Notts Save Our Services + Many more TBC. Info: 07849392842.
25 November: WE ARE ONE ‘Night of Light’ demonstration in Gedling to protest at the government closure of Gedling School – meet 5:30pm in the Phoenix pub car park [directions here]. Bring Glo sticks, torches … anything bright. Call Dale Vizzard for details: 07833762387. All welcome. Support from NUT: http://www.nottsnut.co.uk/index.html
SAVE GEDLING SCHOOL
The campaign to save Gedling School and Specialist Science College from possible closure is organising a ‘night of lights’ evening demonstration this week. The event will demonstrate the widespread community support for the school.
The campaign began when Nottinghamshire council officers indicated they were minded to recommend the closure of Gedling School, with a decision to be taken by the council’s cabinet members on December 15.
Gedling is a popular and friendly school that excels in many areas – in 2009 it achieved the best science results in the whole of Nottinghamshire. Since the possibility of closure has been publicised there has been an upsurge of support for the school across community and party lines. In a meeting on Monday afternoon both Conservative and Labour Gedling District councillors told Nottinghamshire officials that their plans were based on incorrect statistics and muddled thinking.
The event will begin on Thursday November 25 at 5.30pm. Supporters are asked to assemble at the Phoenix Pub (on Wollaton Avenue. Nottingham NG4 4HU), before marching down Wollaton Avenue to a campaign rally that will take place within the grounds of the school. Bring torches,
glo sticks….anything bright!Chair of the campaign committee, and parent governor, Caroline Diss, said:
“Any possible withdrawal of our local school, with its specialism and outstanding results in science, and which is at the heart of the local community, would represent a blow to any notion of parental choice.
There are no places in neighbouring schools that perform well in the area leaving the only alternative option for Gedling parents a school that is in special measures.“We know that no member of the cabinet would want that for their children. They have the power to stop this nightmare scenario happening to ours We implore them to reject the local authority’s recommendation to consult on closure of Gedling School”
Terry Chambers, Head of Year 9, said: “We feel it was important to show the strength of feeling, not only from the pupils but also the parents, the staff, ex-pupils and the whole community against the closure of our school. Any closure would have a devastating effect on the whole community. It seems crucial decisions of this kind are based on spurious data and statistics when the reality is that they will be
destroying the future of so many people.”
LINKS:
Save Gedling School: http://savegedlingschool.wordpress.com/
Save Gedling School (campaign supporters network): http://savegedlingschool.ning.com/
Save Gedling School Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Our-School-The-Gedling-School/146243182088229
1100 march in Nottingham against austerity [with videos and photos]
On Saturday 20th November 2010 the lively demonstration and march called by Notts Save Our Services assembled on the Forest Recreation Ground. Well over one thousand residents, workers, service users, pension and welfare recipients, parents, teachers, university and school students from all over Nottingham and Notts brought themselves along on a misty morning, and carried placards and banners against cuts. We marched to Nottingham city centre down Mansfield Road and many more people clapped from the pavement or hooted horns as we passed. At Speakers’ Corner a rally was held with many speakers explaining the effect of the cuts and encouraging more people to get involved with Notts SOS. Queens Street had to be closed to accommodate everyone.
Watch a video of the march as it left the Forest (links to photos are further below) and an edited video of some of the speeches on the podium and singing before and on the march.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-CktNNTb44&feature=player_embedded#!]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzGj-xvhZbA]
Read press release advertising the march and rally: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/679.
Read collected media including photos following march and rally on Notts Indymedia: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/697
Look at pictures of the march and rally from the Trades Council website: http://www.nottstuc.org/2010/11/pictures-from-todays-demo.html
Lots more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gideonmack/sets/72157625306734629/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshcunninghamphotography/sets/72157625492249146
BBC Nottingham news article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-11803578 (only 500 though! Journalist must have counted or estimated numbers at the beginning when the march was assembling whereas we did a proper roadside count on Mansfield Road). Anyway ITV News said it was 3000! See also Evening Post website coverage.
More reports and media to follow.
Well done to all that marched. We hope this will inspire more people to get involved with Notts SOS. In January we will hold a conference in Nottingham to work out a wider strategy as we know there are many and diverse ways the government cuts will affect our lives. In the meantime we hope that more anti-cuts groups will form whether around a specific campaign like Save Gedling School or with a general ‘save our services’ aim. Notts SOS planning meetings are held on Mondays in the International Community Centre. Details of these meetings and other planned events can be found on our website.
To find out just some of what’s happening in Nottingham and Notts, read our Newsletter –
Notts SOS Newsletter No. 1: [Word version] [PDF version]
Tory headquarters in Nottingham strewn with graffiti and windows smashed – second attack in one week
Nottingham Evening Post, 19/11/2010: “Tory headquarters in Nottingham strewn with graffiti and windows smashed”.
THE Tory headquarters in Nottingham have been vandalised for the second time in a week in protest at Government cuts and “in solidarity” with the Millbank riots.
Photographs on Notts Indymedia: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/677
Statement on Notts Indymedia: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/676
More news links from Notts SOS: https://nottssos.org.uk/in-the-news/
Leaflets for Saturday’s Notts SOS anti-cuts demo and for next week – with diary dates for November/December 2010
Download leaflet we’ll be handing out on the demonstration taking place on Saturday: leaflet_for_demo_nov_20_with_dates.pdf
Upcoming Campaign events:
22 November: Regular Notts SOS Campaign organising/committee meeting – 7:30pm, International Community Centre, Mansfield Road, Nottingham. Venue details here: https://nottssos.org.uk/contact/
24 November: National Walkout against Student Fees In our region, so far there are walkouts being advertised in Leicester, Lincoln and Loughborough and Nottingham.
25 November: WE ARE ONE ‘Night of Light’ demonstration in Gedling to protest at the government closure of Gedling School – meet 5:30pm at the Phoenix pub [directions here]. Brign Glo sticks, torches … anything bright. Call Dale Vizzard for details: 07833762387.
29 November: Notts SOS Campaign organising/committee meeting – 7:30pm, International Community Centre, Mansfield Road, Nottingham.
4 December: Protest against corporate tax evasion – 1pm outside Vodafone on Clumber Street, Nottingham with march onto Boots on Wheeler gate. Part of a nationwide protest against Vodafone and Boots who evade billions of pounds in tax.
6 December: Notts SOS Campaign organising/committee meeting – 7:30pm, International Community Centre, Mansfield Road, Nottingham.
From the Forest to the Square – All out for a big Notts demonstration against the cuts – Saturday 20th November
Saturday 20th November is when we must make the City and County authorities in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire aware of the strength of feeling that is growing against cuts to services, jobs, welfare and education. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a locally or centrally controlled budget, we can’t allow these cuts to go ahead without a fight.
To find out just some of what’s happening in Nottingham and Notts, read our Newsletter –
Notts SOS Newsletter No. 1: [Word version] [PDF version]
We will be assembling at the Forest Recreation Ground from 11.30am and marching at 12.30pm to the Market Square in Nottingham City Centre for a rally. The event is ‘Demonstration Against the Cuts ‘ and we say “There is an alternative. Make the rich pay for the crisis.” Bring your banners and placards (otherwise some will be available from Notts SOS). Let’s make it as big & noisy as possible!
Unless we refuse to accept them, all these cuts will go ahead while the well off people who govern us remain unaffected. If services and welfare are taken away, many people with illnesses and disability will suffer. If education is cut children and students of all ages will suffer. Facilities will close or get reduced and many more people will suffer. Is this the kind of society we want to live in?
All this,
- while the banks remain bailed out with billions of pounds.
- while vast city bonuses are still being given to individuals.
- while private interests are being allowed to take over every aspect of life.
- while huge corporate tax bills, like those of Vodafone or Boots, are avoided by sleight of hand.
- while inequality of earnings is greater than ever.
- while food and fuel prices are rising.
- while billions of pounds are spent on weapons.
- while billions of the world’s poor remain poor or are exploited for financial gain.
- while the environment is ignored in the relentless search for profit and growth.
- while the cause of the financial crisis remains virtually unchanged.
There must be a better way.
We won’t change the world in a day, but we have to take a stand against austerity.
Let’s remind the politicians who the Big Society really is.
We call on all workers, benefits and pension recipients, community groups, arts organisations, charities, school and college students, to unite and show opposition to the cuts in our region. Campaigners from nearby areas are welcome to join.
Vodafone pay your taxes! [with videos]
On Clumber Street in Nottingham city centre today a demonstration was held outside the Vodafone shop about their non-payment of tax in Britain and in other countries. Why are services and jobs being cut when this could be covered by getting corporations and the rich to pay up? Noone was available to answer this question as the shop had been closed before the demonstration got there, and a small police cordon was there too (to protect business, as usual?). The Nott SOS demonstration clearly stated it was not directed at Vodafone shopworkers or shoppers but at the directors, owners. This message was not lost on passers-by. As well from those on holding placards in front of the shop, down the whole of Clumber Street the cry of “Vodafone pay your taxes” could clearly be heard.
View [Photos] on Notts Indymedia.
Watch videos: [Video 1] [Video 2] [Video 3]. More information can be found on Indymedia UK and http://ukuncut.wordpress.com/
NEW: leaflet – http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/668
Join Notts SOS for a major anti-cuts march and demonstration in Nottingham – Saturday 20th November 2010 [plus ‘Liar Liar’ video]
This is an advance call out for the next Nottingham Save Our Services demonstration! Following protests in town and at County Hall during the week of the Spending Review, we will assemble at the Forest Recreation Ground at 11.30am and then march to the Market Square in Nottingham at 12.30pm on Saturday 20th November where we will hold a rally.. The event is ‘Demonstration Against the Cuts’ and we say “There is an alternative. Make the rich pay for the crisis.” Hopefully this will give you time to make your own banners and placards. Lets make it as big & noisy as possible! Download leaflet advertising the demo.
We call on all workers, benefits and pension recipients, community groups, charities, school and college students, to unite and show opposition to the cuts in our region. Campaigners from nearby areas are welcome to join.
Download Flyer for Notts SOS 20th November 2010 Demonstration (A4 also suitable as poster). Alternative download Flyer for Notts SOS Nov 20th Demo – two A5 leaflets per page.
Download Notts SOS Newsletter No. 1: [Word version] [PDF version]
Feel free to visit the Notts SOS stall in the Market Square this Saturday at 12 noon this weekend (6th Nov) and join the Clumber Street Vodaphone protest at 2pm if you can. From now until the demonstration we will be having stalls around the city and surburbs. We will also be meeting each Monday at the International Community Centre (YMCA Mansfield Road) from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. All welcome.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQFwxw57NBI&hl=en_GB&feature=player_embedded&version=3]
Protest outside Vodafone, Clumber Street, Nottingham City Cente, 2pm Saturday 6th November
Notts SOS have called a protest outside Vodafone in Nottingham City Centre over their huge unpaid tax bill. Protestors will be gathering outside the store on Clumber Street in the City centre at 2pm to say that business should pay tax too.
The protest will take place directly after the Notts SOS campaign stall that will be present from 12-2pm in the Market Square.Full details for the Nottingham action can be found on Notts Indymedia & Notts Trades Union Council websites.
Read more about the Vodaphone campaign and previous actions on Indymedia UK. For photos of protest across the UK see: http://ukuncut.wordpress.com/