A report by an anarchist from Birmingham on what actually happened at Birmingham City Council.

This was the easiest and also one of the most dramatic political events I have been part of and compared to other student occupations and demo’s that have taken place in recent weeks it is comparatively mild. I arrived just as things started to get going and immediately started to film the proceedings. I had come along merely with the intention of filming what happened or what was going to happen rather in case it was potentially needed for either legal reasons or to potentially deconstruct lies or errors perpetuated by the media.

The most noticeable thing about the student occupation was the overall emphasis of class and as messages of solidarity were sent in from Shop Stewards from Unison this became more apparent. The occupation was not just about students wanting to have a future it was about realising that what was happening to students connected with what was happening to everyone else.

After years of political stagnation with the common view that students ‘don’t do politics’ or are apathetic, this day showed something distinctly opposite. In itself it achieved nothing but it is part of something much bigger that has been brewing for a very long time. People everywhere now want more than just voting every once and a while and crossing their fingers and praying that the results will be slightly less awful than before. A pivotal point raised during the occupation was building allegiances and bridging the gaps between students and lectures and University workers and everyone else. No radical Student movement has ever made any gains in world history unless it was part of something bigger and more cohesive. This is the rational response to any set backs or mistakes that we make not doing nothing or even falling back on the rotten promises of the electoral system.

Everyone whatever their respective politics who was there was there because they now realise it is no longer enough to count on someone else whether it is a Capitalist or a Politician to deliver what they want, it is now appearing that there is not even a beginning in that route. Only the people themselves through mass participation can get what they want. That is what these occupations mean.

DAY X2 – Birmingham student cuts protest & Council House occupation from radicle on Vimeo.