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10/12/2010
City Hall Protest 'Disgrace', Says DUP
Trouble that led to two people being charged with public order offences after yesterday's Belfast protest against plans to raise third level tuition fees has been condemned.
DUP Assembly Member for South Belfast and Policing Board Member, Jimmy Spratt MLA said: "The scenes witnessed in front of the City Hall yesterday were a total disgrace and should be condemned by all right-thinking people.
"In a democratic society people have the right to protest, what they do not have the right to do is launch physical violence against the legitimate forces of law and order.
"I have no doubt that many students who attended the protest at the City Hall were intent on making their point peacefully, but it is apparent that there was an element who were determined to confront the police and emulate the disgraceful antics we saw in London," he fumed.
"The DUP opposed the Government proposal to hike up fees to a possible £9,000 per annum, but those who rioted and used violence against the police have squandered the sympathy of the public over the issue of fees and have brought shame on themselves and the colleges or universities from which they come," said the DUP MLA.
Two men, aged 19 and 23, have been charged with public order offences and are due to appear in Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
In total, six men and two women were arrested for public order offences. Six people have been released pending reports.
See: Traffic Blocked In Fees Protests
See: Trouble Erupts At Student Fees Protest
See: More Choose NI Study As Fees Rise Feared
(BMcC/GK)
DUP Assembly Member for South Belfast and Policing Board Member, Jimmy Spratt MLA said: "The scenes witnessed in front of the City Hall yesterday were a total disgrace and should be condemned by all right-thinking people.
"In a democratic society people have the right to protest, what they do not have the right to do is launch physical violence against the legitimate forces of law and order.
"I have no doubt that many students who attended the protest at the City Hall were intent on making their point peacefully, but it is apparent that there was an element who were determined to confront the police and emulate the disgraceful antics we saw in London," he fumed.
"The DUP opposed the Government proposal to hike up fees to a possible £9,000 per annum, but those who rioted and used violence against the police have squandered the sympathy of the public over the issue of fees and have brought shame on themselves and the colleges or universities from which they come," said the DUP MLA.
Two men, aged 19 and 23, have been charged with public order offences and are due to appear in Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
In total, six men and two women were arrested for public order offences. Six people have been released pending reports.
See: Traffic Blocked In Fees Protests
See: Trouble Erupts At Student Fees Protest
See: More Choose NI Study As Fees Rise Feared
(BMcC/GK)
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There have been violent scenes in Dublin today followed a mainly peaceful student protest against plans to increase registration fees. Thousands of students this afternoon marched to Merrion Square, where they were addressed by student leaders.
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There have been violent scenes in Dublin today followed a mainly peaceful student protest against plans to increase registration fees. Thousands of students this afternoon marched to Merrion Square, where they were addressed by student leaders.
21 October 2008
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Students Call For 'Continuous Protest'
A member of a student protest group has called for a "continuous campaign" to show the government that education is "a right, and shouldn’t be a privilege". Speaking during Wednesday's protests against student fees in Dublin, Derek Mckenna, a spokesperson for Free Education for Everyone (FEE) told popular student issues website Studenty.
04 February 2009
Thousands of Students To Protest In Dublin
Students will be taking to Dublin streets en masse this afternoon, in protest against the possible re-introduction of third-level fees. Announcing the demonstration, the Union of Students in Ireland says it wants to send a message to the Minister of Education, Batt O'Keffe.
Thousands of Students To Protest In Dublin
Students will be taking to Dublin streets en masse this afternoon, in protest against the possible re-introduction of third-level fees. Announcing the demonstration, the Union of Students in Ireland says it wants to send a message to the Minister of Education, Batt O'Keffe.
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