Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Student protests throughout Germany, strikes & occupations

German students are in the streets; they boycotted classes and occupied university classrooms and departments and schools to protest against the situation of education in the country: German universities are in an uproar, and their students are protesting against an unfair educational system, ultra-crowded degree courses and inadequate funding. An alliance that called itself “Educational […]

Left Voice

November 27, 2009
Facebook Twitter Share

German students are in the streets; they boycotted classes and occupied university classrooms and departments and schools to protest against the situation of education in the country: German universities are in an uproar, and their students are protesting against an unfair educational system, ultra-crowded degree courses and inadequate funding. An alliance that called itself “Educational Strike 2009” called for mobilizations seeking changes in the degree courses for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees introduced ten years ago in the European Union, in accordance with the so-called “Bologna Reform,” with the aim of harmonizing the structure of tertiary and university studies in the European Union. This front [i.e., of students on strike] is led by the student organizations of the party “Die Linke” that seeks only the improvement or reorganization of the educational sector, although for most participants in the strike there is an obvious connection between, on the one hand, the economic crisis and bailing out businessmen and, on the other hand, the poverty of the educational system they are experiencing. However, since a wave of protests in June, a spirit of struggle against the poverty of education has been maintained, and, motivated by the seizure in the University of Vienna, now in 30 universities and some high schools, dean’s offices, classrooms, and departments have been symbolically occupied. The movement is spreading, but has only a radicalized minority, and its demands have not been gone beyond the merely educational terrain. The students have experienced the strength of unity of action, as in this week’s demonstrations in more than 50 German cities, but have also gained the experience that, despite their efforts, they did not get anything. Now there are political discussions in the universities, institutes and workplaces, to analyze how the movement can advance and how they will be able to win the demands around a free education without fees. Together with the other revolutionary organizations, we are raising the need for self-defense against the attacks of the bourgeoisie, through worker-student unity and by fighting not only for toppling the Bologna Plan, but also for constructing a perspective that allows us the full democratization of the university and to struggle so that the university will no longer serve the interests of the bourgeoisie.

Facebook Twitter Share

Left Voice

Militant journalism, revolutionary politics.

Archive

The Unknown Paths of the Late Marx

An interview with Marcello Musto about the last decade of Marx's life.

Marcello Musto

February 27, 2022

The Critical Left in Cuba

Frank García Hernández discusses the political and economic situation in Cuba and the path out of the current crisis.

Frank García Hernández

February 27, 2022

Nancy Fraser and Counterhegemony

A presentation from the Fourth International Marxist Feminist Conference.

Josefina L. Martínez

February 27, 2022

Who is Anasse Kazib?

Meet the Trotskyist railway worker running for president of France.

Left Voice

February 27, 2022

MOST RECENT

SANDWICH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Activists protesting against the bombing of Gaza blockade the entrance to the Instro Precision factory which is linked to the Israeli owned Elbit systems company on October 26, 2023 in Sandwich, England. Instro Precision is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, an Israeli military contractor whose UK companies have been frequent target for activists.

Our Unions Can Tip the Balance for the Campus Palestine Revolt

Unions are starting to join students in the fight for Palestine. Rank and filers can organize our unions to join the encampments, strike for Palestine --- and push our leaders to throw their full support behind us.

Jason Koslowski

April 28, 2024
a group of health care workers hold signs including a banner that says "Healthcare workers for the people of Palestine."

Healthcare Workers Need to Defend the Gaza Solidarity Encampments

As Israel’s genocide continues, student encampaments have started popping up throughout the U.S. in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Healthcare workers should mobilize nationally to defend students and help massify the movement.

Mike Pappas

April 27, 2024
A flagpole in the Gaza Solidarity encampment with Palestine flags, a sign that reads "free gaza, CUNY" and a sign in the center that read "Harlem University, est. 1969, re-est. 2024, Free Palestine, Divest Now"

CUNY Students Occupy Campus in Solidarity with Palestine, Building on the University’s Legacy of Radical Organizing

Students at the City College of New York have a vibrant history of protests and occupations. This week’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment explicitly references and honors that legacy.

Olivia Wood

April 27, 2024

Nancy Fraser, Jacques Rancière, Silvia Federicci and many others say: Stop the Criminalization of Palestine Solidarity in France!

Anasse Kazib, a union activist and former presidential candidate, was recently interrogated by French anti-terrorist police. In this open letter, more than 800 prominent intellectuals and activists call to stand united against the criminalization of Palestine solidarity.