CAMPAIGN FOR FREE EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES. 21/5/03

AGENDA:
1. Discussion and reports from USI Actions on May 20th 2003
2. Discussion of current developments.
3. Preparations for the announcement.

Chaired by Finbar Dywer.


1. USI ACTIONS.

Redy- USI protests yesterday solely to exercise media clout against government, not mobilise clout of students.  CFE activist rang and spreads word, attempts to mobilise as much CFE as possible, press releases done.  Occupation in transport, ill prepared, objective solely to achieve publicity so no preparations for prolonged affair.  Room chosen unimportant in terms of building infrastructure, hence Garda refusal to break dead lock.  Occupations not in context of a strategy to build movement.  USI cloud issue, present no clear strategy for an alternative to fees which will end educational disadvantage, as simple as grants not fees.
Cian- Not bad occupation, gained a lot of publicity, better than complete inactivity, shows point that 20 people won't defeat fees, didn't even think of mobilising students for or outside occupation, told Garth Keogh to set up open email contact list of students willing to take action over summer, did he?  Will he?
Enid-the occupations and actions added to the momentum of support against fees and the debate in general, shows students are active.
Paul M- USI cloud issue, no clear argument on educational disadvantage, alternative to end inequality, grants not fees, accommodation- implicit in CFE.

Time for unilateral CFE action, our terms and arguments.

2. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Paul D- now talk of student loans, previously loans buried, government playing pantomime, loans is real agenda.   Research by NUS against. 
Redy- loans international pattern.
Enid- fund education through an inequitable tax system, fees as an inequitable double taxation.
Cian- tax luxury items like cigarettes, derive income and discourage habits.
 
Corporation tax (12.5) too low, raise it.  Capital gains.  Even Harney says tax system is unjust. 

Finighin- Tories in UK propose taking away fees but reducing number of places for working class people.  Key argument is placing educational crisis in context of wider cutbacks, we will gain wider support, link up with others taking on the government.
Paul M- fees are the thin end of the wedge, PD's are opposed to idea simply because of the middle class vote.  FF backbenchers are the same, serious backbench opposition, media is making key argument for government-fees for rich are ok.  Battering ram to get stuff through such as BTEA. 
Cian- don't give credence to necessity for cutbacks because of downturn.
Enid- ridiculous expenditure on Berties make up, military increase and government jet.

3.  PREPARATIONS FOR ANNOUNCEMENT.

Need to focus on CFE, ignore USI. 
Redy- Must attempt mobilisations beyond students, as body is dispersed.
Paul D- few student bodies still exist, trinity exam centre.
Cian- expect announcement in few days.  Need to split into affinity groups to organise different aspects, delegation and responsibility.  Shouldn't just do occupations like USI.
Redy- day X style build up to announcement, facilitate involvement.
Enid- review body delays, report cabinet meeting to clear, in drips and drabs not suddenly announced.
Paul M-  TV3 poll positive, can build up momentum of activity, student movement- a questionable terms-has failed in terms of arguments, we need one day of real arguments which destroy notion of selfish bastard students simply concerned with safeguarding third level.  Something serious is need to sway arguments.
Enid- letter writing campaign , everyone here, avalanche of mail, get our parents involved.
Caoimhe- not all parents are supportive.
Cian- letters not enough, desperate need to increase our numbers through open public activity, protest not occupation, meetings activists lists.
Ciaran- day x style activity, sit down protest outside Dail.  Secondary schools??  USS?
Oisin- USS a write off, AGM full of careerists and young PDs.
Redy- USS has position against the school walkouts it grow out of, it will not back any of our actions and after occupation had a meeting with USI, obviously will opt for them over us.
Caoimhe- students hostile to activity outside, lack of confidence, as in teachers strikes action from secondary need to be self organised.
Redy- inform our contacts with our proposals from this meeting and invite them.
Oisin- extremely difficult to organise schools, need for two solid strong people in a school, repression by school authorities.
Cian- need for practical discussion and formulation of plan.

Something of a brain storming meeting, ideas bounced back and forth, loads of heightened discussion and very good constructive criticism.  So now I will only write minutes for what was actually decided upon and the responsibilities taken up.  I'll try portray the general sentiment and consensus, if anyone who was at the meeting disagrees with it please send in their own interpretation to this list. As there was some confusion over the actual strategy I will attempt a synopsis of it here.

Original idea was the hold an open publicly advertised extensively meeting in city centre location with no speakers, just a discussion from the floor to pull people into activity so it would be more an action work shop and not a talking shop.  This idea then became superseded with that of protest next Wednesday, where we will hold a meeting immediately after it which will be flyered at the protest and activist lists gathered at it.  Meeting will also be advertised through activist networks.  The idea of a  more serious action was also put forward as needed.  The tactic of direct action at this is legitimised and justified.

From this we will build for a larger public protest on the day of the cabinet meeting outside the Dail and in the city where the report is discussed- this being the day x style scenario.  In many ways, hopefully this will gain some sort of momentum similar to GNAW in media but smaller, we did action in the past and we promise it in future, a threat. 

The idea of mass non payment was mooted, but realisation that middle class would be only ones to mobilise rule against it.  Idea of mass refusal to fill in income assessment forms suggested.

After this we move into more serious action, with a clear rustication and clearer arguments against fees and for educational equality throughout the system. 

So the schedule for the next weeks is;

1. Dail centred protest to be organised for next Wednesday evening.  Public meeting to be organised for immediately after it to build for future.  Activist lists to be formed at this protest and attempt made to get everyone involved in future.
2.  Maximum possible build up to protest outside the dail on day of cabinet meeting, Day X style activity, sit-down.
3, After this more serious action will be organised, like all CFE actions this will be as a tool to mobilise and encourage as much autonomous activity against fees.  To facilitate maximum involvement, the issue is to broaden the movement.

The responsibilities for the next week are;

Redy, Caoimhe; to organise protest and meeting for next Wednesday and material for it.  To get involved in this ring James or Caoimhe.
General: Posters to be done Thursday, Friday and be ready for Saturday.  On Friday in UCD posters will be placed on Paul. D's old election hoardings.  And the city will be plastered.  As many as possible must get involved in this.

Cian is to do a press release notifying of our activity.
Fi.D-is to explore the idea of is to explore the idea and possibilities of more serious action.

Agreed at meeting that Redy and Cian would act as spokespeople in press releases and immediate press contact.  At actions media will be opened up to students participating.  Cian subsequently stepped down as he felt that he was inappropriate since graduating.   Consensus that F. Kelly be asked designated.   Phone numbers are James; 085 719 8001 Finighin; 086 355 0529

There is also a need to organise colour, banners and so on to get ideas across and encourage participation.  People can take this up autonomously, also possibility of doing some at day posters are being put on hoardings.