Ógra Shinn Féin Join Mass March against Student Fees

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday February 05, 2009 15:40

by Educate to be Free - Ógra Shinn Féin

osfnational at yahoo dot ie

Ógra Shinn Féin activists from across Ireland, students and workers alike, joined with thousands of people yesterday marching against the introduction of student fees by Minister Batt O Keefe and the Fianna Fáil led government.

Ógra Shinn Féin held banners, and placards, distributed thousands of leaflets and Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty passionately addressed the thronged crowd of protestors at Leinster house to a very warm and enthusiastic reception.

National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin, Barry McColgan said,

“Ógra Shinn Féin support free education for all, and are utterly opposed to the current onslaught on public spending by the Dublin government. We believe that third level education is a right, and should be safeguarded from fees which elevate it to a privilege which only a minority can benefit from.”

“It is heartening to witness thousands upon thousands of students, marching in defiance of the Dublin government and their attempts to introduce student fees, and the loud chorus of ‘No Fianna Fail T.Ds’, coming from a mobilised and empowered youth electorate, will hopefully resonate and bring pressure to bear on the government benches in Leinster house.”

“Ógra Shinn Féin will continue to stand with students and campaign with all the vulnerable sections of society who are targets and victims of these cutbacks. Only an empowered and mobilised response is adequate and the march in Dublin is a sign of things to come, this is a fight that the students are up for!”