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SCM members march against cuts

Press release

28.03.11 for immediate release

DSCF2686 SCM at March for the Alternative spring 2011

Christian students inspired by Jesus to march against cuts

The Student Christian Movement (SCM) has welcomed the large turnout by Christian students at Saturday's march against government cuts. SCM say they are seeing increasing evidence that young Christians find that Jesus' example inspires them to resist injustice in the here and now.

Christian students united with other Christian groups, including Church Action on Poverty, in an ecumenical service at St Martin's-in-the-Fields, which drew around 400 people. They then joined the march to Hyde Park.

The students voiced their concerns about the hike in tuition fees and cuts to higher education, as well as to the effect of the cuts across society, and held placards reading ‘Where is good news for the poor?’ and ‘Invest in education, not war’

Hilary Topp, National Co-ordinator of SCM, said:

"Students are often portrayed as apathetic, while some say that Christians are not concerned with the realities of this world. This march has challenged both stereotypes. Two thousand years ago, Jesus protested against those who exploited the poor in the Jerusalem Temple. Now Christian students will not stand by when ministers are devastating education and public services while putting aside billions for renewing nuclear weapons."

Sam Gibson, a theology student at the University of Birmingham, was on the march. He said:

"Communities will have their lives destroyed by the cuts. Opening higher education to a free market system will ruin it and bar millions of people. As a Christian, it's my duty to stand up."

ENDS

Notes

  1. The Student Christian Movement is an ecumenical student-led movement passionate about faith and justice. SCM brings students together to explore how to live out the Christian faith in today’s world. See www.movement.org.uk.
  2. SCM is Britain's oldest national student organisation. It was founded in 1889.
  3. SCM backs peaceful protest and believes that nonviolent direct action can play a valid part in resisting injustice. SCM is opposed to the use of violence as a form of protest.
  4. Photographs of SCM members on the march are available to the media.