South African students occupy parliament, call for #NationalShutDown of universities
Student protests escalate over proposal to raise tuition.
UPDATE: Violent clashes between protesters and police erupted outside of parliament on Wednesday, as students call for a shutdown of universities until a moratorium on tuition hikes is implemented. At least six students were arrested as police shot rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds. Online, many are using #NationalShutDown in solidarity with protesters.
Demonstrations on at least five campuses across South Africa escalated on Tuesday after several universities proposed a hike in tuition fees for next year. Three of the country’s top universities were shut down by protesters who say the proposed rates would disproportionately impact poor and black students.
The growing call to make higher education more accessible and affordable began at The University of the Witwatersrand last week, when students shut down parts of the campus after administrators announced a 10.5 percent hike in fees for 2016.