reclaim education #4
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8/6/2019 Reclaim Education #4
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Free and emancipatory educationdoes not only benefit students inschools and universities, but also so ciety at large. We, groups and activ ists around the world on the ISMplatform, say "Our Fight is YourFight just like Your Fight is OurFight" and call upon labour andthe community at large to jointhe fight students, teachersand parents are engaged in.Massive protests were or ganized in various partsof the world includingAustria, Bangladesh,Chile, Greece, Italy, theNetherlands, the Philip pines, Puerto Rico, not tomention South Africa, theUK , Ukraine and theU.S.A. in the past fewmonths alone (see e.g. "Glob al Wave of Action for Educa tion"). The demonstrations werenot only against austerity measures
that effect accessibility toeducation, but also to fightthe increasing privatiza tion of education, growingpressure to succeed, and arising wave of questioningof the fundamental struc tures and functions of education sys tems.To further the pressure locally andglobally, groups, associations and in dividuals on the International Student
Movement platform, who endorse the"International Joint Statement" cametogether to initiate the "Spring of Res
istance" (SoR) from March to May2011. That period will include a"Global Week of Action" (March 21 26th) as well as a "Global Day of Ac tion" (May 2nd).
The framework of the SoR basicallyconsists of the following three ele ments:*"InternationalJointStatement"(con sider endorsing it!):http://ism global.net/international_ joint_statement
* a united symbol (basically differ ent versions of the picture on this
page)* common slogans (such as
"One World One Struggle"and "Free Emancipatory Edu cation for All")Individual groups and associ ations will organize their ownactions during this periodwhile the ISM provides the
platform and the infrastructureto coordinate the mobilization
across and between the regions.The timeframe of the “Spring of
Resistance” marks an opportunityto strengthen the network betweengroups and activists and unite world
wide for free emancipatory educa tion. Various social movements can
be joined by the timing as wellas by the framework of the“Spring of Resistance”.In additionto sit ins anddemon strations, events such as work
shops and street theatre are plannedby some to mark the resistanceagainst the currently dominating edu cation systems around the world. Wewant education for emancipation not
for profits!The SoR will kick off on March 1 st,which marks the beginning of theMonth of Action to Defend PublicEducation across the U.S.A.. Duringthe same month groups in Canada, theUK and Germany already announcedprotests for free education as part of the SoR. Make sure to announce your
actions as well by sending a mail [email protected], sothat people worldwide will hearabout them.All details on the SoR: http://ismglobal.net/SoR_2011When injustice becomes law, resist ance becomes duty.
Saturday, 12th February 2011 vol.02 issue.1
This newsletter is part of the communication infrastructure of the inde pendent platform "International Student Movement" (ISM). The ISM isbeing used and shaped by education activists and groups around the worldwho are struggling against the increasing privatisation of public educationand for free emancipatory education for all.This newsletter is the result of voluntary work done by a few individualswho are passionate about the cause. The positions expressed are not inany way representative for any group or the "International Student Move ment" as a whole.
For further details:website: www.ism global.net
contact: [email protected]: @ISM030
international student movementAbout this newsletter"Spring of Resistance" March May 2011
"Emancipation for All!"
R e c l a i m E d u c at i o nN o t e s o n t h e g l o b a l s t r u g g l e
8/6/2019 Reclaim Education #4
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For weeks and months, people at theUniversity of Puerto Rico have beenresisting the introduction of a newfee, (US$800) and the heavy policepresence on campus. On February 9 th,riot police, some of whom on horses,attacked students with pepper spray
and battons. Several people were in jured and about 30 arrested. Only twoweeksearlier, police shotat protesterswith rubber bullets and tear gas canis ters.
In protest against fees and cuts, stu dents began to occupy spaces onceagain. The Univerity of Glasgow(Scotland, UK) starting February 1st,and Hull University (England, UK)since February 8th. Now University of West England too (England, UK)
February 9th.
In Kasiyabath (India), on February7th, hundreds, if not thousands of stu dents and parents protested universitymanagement for shaving students'heads as punishment for not paying
their fees on time.
For the past few weeks, thousands of parents, students and educators havebeen protesting against the proposedclosure of 25 public schools in NewYork City (U.S.A.).On Feb. 3rd, hundreds walked out enmasse from the meeting of the Panelfor Educational Policy before it
sealed their schools' fates.
On February 2nd about 2,000 peopletook to the streets in Halifax(Canada) to protest fees and cuts inpublic education.
On January 31st, thousands of students, in seven cities across theUkraine, held protestsagainstthe further commercialisation of educationas well as the increasing eliminationof universities' autonomy. Protestersare resisting the reduction of publicfunding for education, the eliminationof free education, the introduction of a new law allowing unlimited in
creases in tuition, and a new system,which rates universities based solelyby the numbers of students that studythere.
On January 21st, about 15,000 stu dents protested in The Hague (theNetherlands) against cuts being im posed on education, and student fin ancing. These plans will abolish thestudy financing for Master students,impose a 3,000 € fine on students, (aswell as the university,) if a studentdelays their graduation by more than1 year. Furthermore, they are threat
ening to abolish the right to free pub lic transport for those students.Protesters were confronted withheavy police violence, and were at tacked with tear gas, battons andmounted riot police. 28 students werearrested.
Following a chat meeting, activists inIndonesia, Taiwan and Nepal, amongothers, decided to call for the 1st Asi an Regional Meeting in the Indone sian capital, Jakarta. It will be used toinitiate a stronger network betweengroups in Asia that are fighting forfree education, and coordinate
protests for the "Spring of Resistance". More details:http://ism global.net/arm_jakarta
The ISM North America (ISM NA)was initiated, and now has its ownmailing list, as well as a group andpage on facebook. More details:
http://ism global.net/ism.na + Con -tact: [email protected]
An SoR design group was initiatedespecially for the "Spring of Resist ance" to create leaflets, posters andsymbol designs. Want to help aswell? More details:http://ism global.net/SoR_design +Contact: [email protected]
Some activists also initated an ISMtechies group for people who want tohelp improving the website. Contact:[email protected]
The "International Joint Statement", (which was used as a contentbasis for the "Global Wave of Actionfor Education" and is currently beingendorsed by 65 groups worldwide)has been revised, but without chan
ging the core messages; It is notlinkedto anyspecifictimeframeany more, and will also be used as thecontent basis for the "Spring of Res istance".Consider endorsing it as well:
http://ism global.net/ international_joint_statement
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