Young People protest fees (taken from BBC)
Today 2000+ students, and pupils from colleges and sixth forms, turned out to protest against the rise in fees and the plans to scrap EMA. This is excellent for our participation in politics and exactly the sort of thing I support. Some claim that only violent and revolutionary activism will bring about change. It’s true that the protest today at the town hall alone will not lead to abolition of fees, and EMA to be saved. However it is essential that we as young people speak out against these cuts which are disproportionately affecting young people. We have to voice our anger at this broken promise and the unfairness with which these cuts are being carried out. I am pleased with the way young people today embraced the pluralist, democratic values we all share and used their rights to their full potential. The walk out and the media attention received is an excellent testament to what young people can do when united towards a political goal.
I believe a continued campaign of this sort can only benefit our cause. Even if we can only truly express ourselves through the ballot box, we can live in the knowledge that we acted and stood up for what we believed in.
Regards,
Harry MYP
Harry Carter, Sheffield MYP 