Nationwide Solidarity With Byam Shaw

At midday on the 25th of February students from across the U.K., numbering close to a thousand, assembled outside the School of Oriental and African Studies to march through Central London in protest over current higher education fees. The route, which was to end at Kings College, passed by the Central Saint Martins' building on Southampton Row. As the march approached the building it was announced that Byam Shaw was currently in occupation regarding educational issues, which sent an enormous roar of support through the streets. The protesters then spontaneously engaged in a sit-down protest immediately outside the building, thus blocking all traffic through the busy intersection. The protesters stayed for around 30 minutes, directing their chant of "shame on you!" at the CSM building. Eventually the demonstrators were threatened with violence by the police and continued to Kings College.
It is now clear that this once little known arts college in northern London has become an inspiration for universities around the country. Many promises were made at the protest that if cuts continue and fees are not removed then occupations will follow. Byam Shaw is therefore the first in what will surely become a nationwide fight-back against the threats to our education.