EAN report from Tory Conference demo in Manchester

Organised by Manchester EAN, 1,500  students joined the feeder march for the 35,000-strong TUC demonstration and rally to protest against the government’s vicious cuts and proposed reforms.

Students joined the march at Manchester Students’ Union, in a loud and lively demonstration, with chanting and flares.

The demo went through the heart of the city, past the conference centre, where tens of thousands of trade unionists and activists rallied against the cuts.

Trade unionists joined the call for a general strike to stop the Tories in their tracks as they plan to push through reforms that attack the Welfare State from every angle: education, health, benefits are all under threat.

This important demo is only the start of a long struggle to resist the greed and vested interests of the Tories. We want equality, social justice and the end to entrenched privilege. Education is not for sale. It will be a hot autumn of protest and demonstrations, led by unions, students and activists of all stripes.

EAN distributed thousands of leaflets calling for collective action on 9 November when the National Student Demonstration in London will show this government we mean education for all, not business training for the few.

9 November: a key date for education activists and a springboard for the public sector
general strike and EAN’s Operation Education Shutdown.