Coleraine student speaks out at London protest

Violence broke out as tens of thousands of students took to the streets of London last Wednedsay to protest against the government's plan to increase post-secondary tuition three times the current rates.

Some students attempted to force their way into the party headquarters of prime minister David Cameron, forcing the building to be evacuated.

Several dozen protesters managed to get into the lobby of the building, while outside police faced off an angry crowd.

Police reported that 14 people had been injured, including

seven officers.

"I am here because it is important that students stand up and shout about what is going on,"

Anna Tennant-Siren, a student at the University of Ulster in Coleraine, told reporters.

"Politicians don't seem to care. They should be taking money from people who earn seven-figure salaries, not from students who don't have any money."

The government proposal calls for the removal of the current tuition cap of 3,000 and would allow some universities to charge up to 9,000 per year.

Students are outraged, saying the hikes will prevent youth from low-income families from attending post-secondary.

"This is about turning colleges and universities from learning

institutions into finishing schools for the rich," said

Frances O'Grady, of the Trades Union Congress.

She added that universities would be "no-go zones for young people from ordinary backgrounds."

Tuition fees have only existed since 1997, when newly-elected Tony Blair implemented the first fees. Scotland's fees were abolished in 2000.