Vol. 24 #04 01 Nov. 2022
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Winner: Best Newspaper at the National Student Media Awards 2019
Student Independent News Nuachtán saor in aisce · Vol. 24 Issue 04 · 01 Nov. 2022
Photo courtesy of Criodán Ó Murchú
Delight as over 300 students attend campus Student Walkout Protest By Darragh Nolan
Deputy Editor
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University of Galway students joined their peers across the country this month in walking out of classes to protest against high rents, accommodation shortages and the soaring cost of living. Lecture halls were emptied as over 300 of people descended on the Concourse to make their voices heard. Spirits were high as the significant turnout proved a welcome surprise for
What these protests could change is what the next government looks like by mobilising and energising young people to get out and vote and campaign.”
those who took the step of walking out admitted he was worried he’d be one of to express their feelings. just a few people at the protest. Student and Social Democrat National “When I was leaving my own lecture Executive member Seán Burke was in there was a lot of people, I was half afraid attendance and was motivated by success I’d be one of the few people. Then actually of the event. following them, they all came here to the “There was a great turnout. It was certainly protest so that was a great experience.” energising to see so many people that are sick He said that though protests can be of this. Seeing all the young people wanting “quite unpopular in Ireland” he hoped to register to vote is a good sign for the future.” that this campaign might buck the trend. He has little faith that the current “People generally have a reticence to stand government will listen to young people’s out, be heard and be seen. But when you have concerns but hopes that protests will a national campaign like this one that’s gencultivate change into the future. erated quite a lot of publicity, hopefully it will “Obviously we want the government generate interest and will continue to build to act but they’ve a track record of not on the successes of the cost of living protests.” listening and not caring so I doubt these He said problems the problems facing stuprotests will change that. dents are “institutionalised and systemic” and “What these protests could change is that more work must be done to solve them. what the next government looks like by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris mobilising and energising young people acknowledged the hardship faced by stuto get out and vote and campaign.” dents and said they were right to make a Seán said students’ short-term point on the rising cost of living by protesting. demands include rent freezes, more housHowever he pointed out that Budget ing and increases to SUSI grants. 2023 represents a “direct recognition” of the University of Galway Students’ Union conditions students are fighting against and Mature Students’ Officer Benjamin George government’s effort to “change that reality”.