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Students at Manitoba’s largest university are staging a sit-in to protest proposed tuition fee increases.

Just after 8:30 am on Thursday, April 5, 2018, seven students from the Revolutionary Student Movement (RSM) took over the office of University of Manitoba president Dr.David Barnard.

The spokesperson for the group, Elizabeth (last name withheld) said protestors have taken over the office of the president to shed light on a proposed 6.6% tuition increase. She said the group wants to see changes and are standing in solidarity as part of a pan-Canadian movement wanting post secondary education  accessible for all.

Elizabeth said “It would be great if we could talk to the president about the cuts but really today is about the act of protest and standing in solidarity.”

The students also referred to the recent cut by the provincial government of healthcare for international students as a point of contention.

” We are just occupying the space as a way for students to take back their campus,” said organizer Yan Ni.

Ni said that the one day occupation of the president’s office by the RSM is intended to show support for students at York University who have been occupying that university’s senate chambers for the past several weeks

“Students can take power back in their hands,” said Ni

Campus security have locked down the Fort Garry campus administration building but are allowing students inside to remain.

Ni said that besides the seven students taking part in the office take over there were and additional 10-15 students handing out literature on campus.

The Revolutionary Student Movement is a national organization with about 30-50 members between the chapters at the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.

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