Angry UK students protest ahead of controversial vote

[maddezmom]

London, England (CNN) -- Thousands of angry students took to the streets of London Thursday for another protest, as British lawmakers prepared to vote on controversial plans to raise tuition fees.

Tens of thousands of students from across the UK were expected to converge on the capital, according to the National Union of Students (NUS), with most marching towards Westminster, where the country's parliament building is located.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed, many with riot gear, as the authorities looked to avoid a repeat of the disturbances last month when hundreds of protesters stormed the Conservative Party headquarters in the city. The Conservatives are the senior partner in a ruling coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

more:http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/12/09/britain.student.protests/?hpt=T2

Watch Live on BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10318089

Sky News live feed:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/LivePlus

Mounted police are charging protesters to break them up in Parliament Square.

[maddezmom]

1. Police call in reinforcements as protestors surround parliament

By Alex Stevenson and Ian Dunt

Protestors have attempted to break through police lines in Parliament Square, as riot police deploy to defend the Commons.

Police are defending parliament in two lines - one holding protestors back and a second in reserve on the pavement next to parliament's perimeter.

The area nearest Westminster Abbey saw riot police come under sustained pressure from demonstrators, who forced the entire line back about ten yards. Officers responded by sending in reinforcements, tripling police ranks in a bid to stabilise the situation.

Protestors have torn down sections of the wire fences which had closed Parliament Square off to pedestrians, passing sections of the fence over their heads towards the police - who were forced to quickly clear them.

more:http://www.politics.co.uk/news/education/police-call-in-reinforcements-as-protestors-surround-parliament-$21386169.htm

[Ghost Dog]

2. Students are revolting.

Let's join them.