Several hundred students today protested at the Sydney University campus against the passing of recent legislation which will see funding cuts and fees for some humanities degrees increase by up to 113%. Universities are already expected to lose around 30,000 jobs. Students also railed against the crackdown on political dissent - specifically the ability to protest. This is the sixth rally at Sydney University in recent weeks, in which a large police presence has broken up gatherings, arresting some and issuing many $1000 fines for breaking COVID-19 public health orders.
Today, the action began with with an outdoor seminar on ‘Higher Education and Political Dissent’, held on the lawns of the University’s quadrangle. A large contingent of police and riot squad looked on from a distance. At one point during the seminar, hundreds of students suddenly streamed out of the library and nearby buildings, chanting demands for the end of cuts to education and for ‘cops off campus’.
Using a tactic of recent protests in Sydney to stretch police lines, the students moved at high speed, through the University, down City Road and into Victoria Park, pursued by police. Mounted police also followed but were hindered by students rushing up steps, which the horses were unable to traverse. The rally then moved down to Parramatta Road and eventually back on to campus. There were reports that a Law Professor was caught up in proceedings, knocked to the ground by police and arrested. Several fines were also issued.
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