Fees March 'disappointing'
SUNDAY saw the biggest gathering of anti-fees protesters in Oxford since last winter. Under the gaze of somewhat mystified tourists the 400 strong crowd of enthusiastic freshers, committed anti-fees activists and the ubiquitous Socialist Worker Party members made their way through the centre of Oxford.
Many familiar aspects of previous demonstrations were present; the long established chants only slightly muted by the obvious after-effects of a heavy Freshers' Week. Organisations from outside the University such as the Campaign for Free Education and the Socialist Worker were distinguishable by their uncanny energy levels as they darted in amongst the crowds handing out various leaflets, placards and newspapers.
OUSU president, Anneliese Dodds, and Kirsty McNeal flanked by a single mounted policeman. Lead the march passed bemused shoppers in Cornmarket and along the High Street. Members of several left-wing groups at the rear of the march were stopped by police at a set of pedestrian crossings outside the Covered Market then attempted a crowd surge towards the front group of marchers. The result left several marchers sprawled on the High Street while Jo Cardwell from the Socialist Worker Party was lead off by the police. More marchers attempted to cause mayhem when they blocked the road by suddenly sitting down on the Plane Roundabout.
Eventually with as voices grew horse the march made its way along St. Clements to Headington Hill Park, where the marchers were squeezed along the narrow paths. The tranquillity of the park was barely disturbed as a large enough generator could not be found for the sound system which had to be run at half power. Teething problems with the sound system continued once the activists arrived: at one point a man was seen to make his way through the crowd asking for "a screwdriver or penknife" with which to fix it.
Some had already got themselves into the party spirit and were enjoying wine from the bottle as an aperitif to the powerful political statements that were to follow. The lack of any physical platform on which those addressing the rally could speak meant some people had difficulty hearing the speakers.
Of the speakers the most significant was Labour NEC member Liz Davies, daughter of a Wadham college fellow, who lent her wholehearted support to the campaign despite its opposition to her party's policy. Anneliese Dodds also soke to motivate the crowd to continue the fight to win the abolition of the tuition fee.
Later Kirsty McNeal, finance and funding co-chair, said that the march had succeeded in its aim of politicising freshers. While a meeting of activists in Somerville College, on Tuesday, agreed to organise a further demonstration at matriculation on Saturday. Never the less several campaigners expressed to the Oxford Student their disappointment that the march had not lived up to their expectations.
7th Oct 1999