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The Battle of Westminster in pictures

Cherwell photographers were in Parliament Square to witness the events at Parliament Square as the government voted for a significant rise in university fees.

 

Protesters gather outside ULU to march to Parliament Square. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

Curious Londoners have a look at what’s going on in the streets. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

‘Tax the rich, don’t make ordinary people pay for the financial crisis’ – the message of the day. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

A policeman admits that he too opposes the rise in fees. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

The megaphones are out and the familiar slogans are heard again. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Even Oxford candidates skipped their interviews to participate in the protests. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

Red screams out from the crowd everywhere you look. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

‘No ifs, no buts, no education cuts!’ (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Construction workers are impressed by the energy of the protest. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

The police file in, getting themselves into position as they get ready to contain the protesters. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

Police start their kettling tactics. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Confusion reigns as students cannot get out of Parliament Square. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

Protesters hold an impromptu street rave to pass the time. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Some people tried to find exits out of Parliament Square and avoid being kettled. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

The mood tenses as students were waiting for the results of the vote. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

The police stand firm, trying to protect Parliament from angry protesters. (Alistair Smout)

 

 

Some students scale the police fencing out of boredom. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Protesters make themselves at home on the statues. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Statues join the students’ struggle. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Looking on to Parliament and hoping for the best. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Clashes between students and police were a frequent sight throughout the day. (Alistair Smout)

 

 

Many people kept their faces covered, to avoid the cold and the watchful gaze of authority. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

The vote passes and students start building bonfires… (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

… and burning benches or anything they can lay their hands on. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Students grow more and more restless as the day went on. Some even pose for photos in front of damaged police vans. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

A disillusioned student. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

As night falls things get completely out of control. (Sophie Balfour-Lynn)

 

 

At 7 o’clock, people are finally allowed to leave the square, one by one, being filmed as they left. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

As the night came, some people headed off to Oxford Street to continue the protest. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

People’s moods are not at a high point after the result of the vote. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Most people call it a day and try to use the vandalised telephone boxes to call home while the protest continued on Oxford Street. (Jessica Goodman)

 

 

Who knows what will happen next… (Jessica Goodman)

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