Hungover student ghetto residents were robbed of any chance of a midday lie-in on Friday August 5, as chanting protestors collected outside the newly refurbished Robertson Library to express their opposition to the VSM bill.
The protest was organised in less than 48 hours by OUSA, and high profile President Logan Edgar used the opportunity to attempt to grab Prime Minister John Key’s attention while Key opened the newly refurbished library.
Over 300 students turned up, waving placards and chanting, with much BCom creativity evident in the signage. There were several stand outs, including: “John Key’s mum has psoriasis”, “National, putting the ‘N’ in ‘CUTS’”, and crowd favourite, a large picture of the kitten who has now risen to Facebook fame.
Protestors also tore up pictures of ACT MP Heather Roy, a vivid demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the creator of the VSM Bill.
Key opened the Robertson library and while inside accepted an “I © OUSA” t-shirt from Education officer Katie Reid. However, Key refused to speak to the protestors, and despite attempts from the OUSA Executive, he would not cut their ribbon.
A further protest involving Edgar and the Executive is planned to take place on campus on Wednesday August 17. This day will see nationwide student protest against VSM, coinciding with the penultimate Members’ Day in Parliament before the November general election.
During the planned protest Edgar will be dressed up as John Key, with students given the opportunity to splatter him with cream pies after telling OUSA what part of VSM passing will affect them the most.
The protest will take place between 11.30am and 1.30pm and there will be a sausage sizzle to entertain the UniCol girls.
PM visit prevents some Tourism students from sleeping till midday. Bastard.
