Check out our new Know Your Rights handbook – a new guide co-produced with the National Union of Students (NUS) containing lots of practical information about attending a protest.
Protest and direct action are a key part of student organising and the history of our movement. At its best such action can be empowering – offering both visible displays of our collective strength and spaces to connect and organise across our movement.
But at different times such action has also been met with violent policing, harassment and repression - as many witnessed during the national wave of student protests against fees and austerity in 2010.
NUS and DTRTP have produced this guide to ensure that all students are aware of their rights and confident in exercising their to right to protest - because experience shows that where we are prepared, aware of our rights and able to access the right advice we are in the best position to both protest effectively and built solidarity and support when its needed.
Of course it always vital to pick up GBC bust card before you head out to!
“This booklet is an invaluable resource for anyone politically active. In my time in the student movement, I have witnessed countless instances of repression, violence and arrest by the State, often sanctioned by our own institutions. We have produced this to ensure that all students aware, and confident in exercising, your right to protest.” Shelly Asquith NUS VP Welfare
In 2010 I participated in a powerful student movement for free education and against austerity. During those protests, I almost died after being hit on the head by a police baton. I was later arrested and charged with violent disorder. With the help of many supporters, however, I was unanimously acquitted at trial - along with the vast majority of other student protestors who fought their cases. Through my experience I’ve learned that you need to be prepared when you protest. That means know your rights before you go out, and be ready to collectively defend anyone who faces repression after. But above all, don’t let them stop you protesting. Alfie Meadows acquitted student protester