Sign the statement
As students and young people in the UK, we say no to militarism and the drive to war.
For nearly three years, our government has supported Israel’s genocide in Gaza and assault on Lebanon. It has supported Trump’s wars in Venezuela and Iran and tightened the blockade of Cuba. And it continues to fuel the war in Ukraine.
We are told we must prepare for war, to sacrifice our lives, and that we must accept across-the-board cuts to our wages, welfare, public services, education, healthcare and infrastructure to pay for it.
This is particularly targeted at young people. Last year, the military was given an additional £70m to recruit in schools. This year, the government begins its ‘military gap year’ scheme for school leavers. The new Defence Universities Alliance is making cash-strapped universities commit to research and development for military technology and to develop graduate schemes for students to enter the military and arms industry.
This wholesale turn towards militarising education comes alongside widespread cuts to schools and university courses and staff, and increasing authoritarianism that has seen students suspended and expelled for speaking out for Palestine.
We, school students, university students and young people in the UK, say no to war and militarisation. We will not go to war, nor will we be part of producing the weapons being used to kill countless people.
We oppose spending cuts to education and welfare. We oppose the plans to turn schools and universities into hubs for the military industrial complex.
We pledge to join the international day of student strikes and protests on 20 November, linking up with students and young people across Europe and beyond to oppose the drive to war.
Add your name to the statement
Join the online organising meeting for students and young people on Tuesday 21st July, at 6pm.
