East London Lines has reporters on the ground at the student demonstration ‘Carnival of Resistance’ in central London.

Seb Wheeler, Sam Foster and Germaine Arnold are reporting from inside the ‘kettle’, the area in which police have contained protesters in Whitehall. Charlie Cooper and Chris Stevenson are reporting from just outside.

Click here to see our gallery from the protest.

Latest Update:

7:37pm
They are now slowly letting people out of the kettle. Very slowly…

7:24pm
The word in the kettle is that “Nick Clegg has just admitted he was wrong about the cuts. They are still not letting people out and it’s very cold,” Sam Foster reports.

7pm
We can confirm that a group of protesters have thrown items at buses near Trafalgar Square. Chris Stevenson reports: One bus driver, Lee Harlow from Transdev, said they were picking up chairs, rubbish bags and other debris and hurling it against the buses (including his).

6:50pm
There are chairs and other debris all over the street, and some say protesters  have been trying to throw items at buses near Trafalgar Square, reports Chris Stevenson.

6:45pm
Protesters have got out of Whitehall via  a side street, exiting near Trafalgar Square. A fire was set in the side street, reports Chris Stevenson.

6:15pm
A large number of police horses have just charged down the street outside the kettle, reports Charlie Cooper.

6:00pm
A police horse just bolted into the crowd outside the kettle, reports Charlie Cooper.

5:38pm

Views from protesters outside the kettle:

Rosie and Geraldine, both 17, students at Northbrook College in Goring, noted that most protesters were college age and younger. They said that they fully support the cause and had not seen any violence.

Alex Callinicos, a lecturer at King’s College, said: “The police were heavy handed but the day has been remarkable for the cause.” He engaged in protests as a student at Oxford in the 1970s, but feels that causes such as this are far more important than anything he campaigned for in his youth. “Today we are fighting for our very ability to be students,” he said. He also stated proudly that students are setting an example for the rest of the country about how to respond to the cuts.

5:15pm

Views from protesters inside the kettle:

Meral, 21, a student at London College of Interior Design, said: “Today’s protest was not as successful as Millbank. Police were very well prepared.” She said police have been heavy handed, and that the crowd has been “mostly school and college kids.”

Jayne, a SOAS student, said: “This is just ridiculous, it’s pointless.”

Lewis Parker, an art history student, echoed similar frustrations at being stuck in the kettle: “I understood the police tactics 2 hours ago, but not now.”

5:00pm
Seb Wheeler reports that people are supposed to be funnelled out of the kettle within the next hour.

4:49pm

A bonfire has been lit outside the kettle and a protester threw burning placards at police, but no one was hurt, reports Charlie Cooper. A Police helicopter searchlight is glaring from overhead.

4:36pm

Charlie Cooper reports: “A crowd of around 300 protesters outside the kettle are trying to connect with the main group, chanting ‘let them out, let them out!'””

4:22pm

The crowd is starting to get restless in the kettle. Chants of “let us out!” are beginning. A policewoman has just told Sam Foster: “A lot of us have got children too, so support the protest.”

3:59pm

It’s starting to get dark. The sound system is booming in the kettle, there is now a good vibe. People have decided they “might as well have a dance,” reports Sam Foster. A snatch squad just pulled a man out of the crowd, reports Seb Wheeler.

3:53pm
Charlie Cooper reports from outside the kettle: “A small group has staged a sit down protest in Whitehall by the cenotaph, alongside police in riot gear and mounted officers. They have got books out and started reading. Some are linking arms and singing.”

3:44pm

People are getting cold and bored in the kettle, “literally climbing the walls,” reports Sam Foster. Lila Sharp, 17, from La Swap sixth form college, in Camden, said: “It’s disgusting. The right to protest doesn’t exist anymore.” Richard, a railway worked, said: “I’ve got two 16 year olds and I want to be able to send them to university. The police have overreacted after last time.”

3:25pm

Police have cordoned off the now badly vandalised and looted van, reports Seb Wheeler.

3:22pm

The protest seems to have taken on a life of its own within the kettle, and it’s barely to do with the original issue anymore. “There is an effort to move the van now. Its siren is now on, the kettle is closing in. There’s a placard on fire. Police are getting a lot closer now in an attempt to stop the vandalism. Have not heard a student chants in a long time, which says a lot about this demonstration,” reports Sam Foster.

3:05pm

There are red flares and fire extinguishers everywhere, and the police seem quite happy as protesters are keeping themselves occupied. Sam Foster reports: “The contents of the police van are now being given to whoever wants them. There are pockets of people sitting and wandering aimlessly. The sound system is pumping, mixed with sounds of the helicopters overhead. People have police hats, belts, bags, ties, manuals and some gloves (which may come in handy for the clean up later!)”

2:56pm
Sam Foster reports: “The police van is now occupied by protesters. They now have lots of riot gear. The kettle might be about to boil. There are also police with cameras positioned on top of surrounding buildings taking photos of those committing violence.”

2:50pm
Seb Wheeler reports that people are getting bored and riot shields are being stolen. Sam Foster has spoken to the man who stole a police riot shield, who says: “I’m happy with the shield but I just want to go home.” The police van is being looted.

2:40pm
Speaking to a seasoned demonstrator in the kettle, Sam Foster is told that this could go on for 3 or 4 hours, the theory being that if they keep protesters here for that long they won’t want to do it again.

2:33pm
“The kettle has worked. Morale is very low, the protesters are outgunned,” reports Seb Wheeler.

2:30pm
“It feels like the end of a festival. Everyone wants to go home yet they kind of want to stay,” reports Sam Foster.

2:25pm
Views from protesters caught in the thick of the standoff with police:
Seb Collins, 17, from Riddlesdown College, said:”I don’t think it’s helping at all. I’m with the police on this one.”

Sean Lynch, 25, from Goldsmiths college, said: “The police’s approach is ridiculous, they’ve penned everyone in, left an old police van in the middle of the road. The average age here is 15!”

Roxanne, an art student at Central St. Martins, said: “This is pointless.”

Clash between protesters and police. Photo: Germaine Arnold

"This is about cuts not hate of police". Photo: Germaine Arnold

Clash between police and protesters. Photo: Germaine Arnold

2:20pm
Police prepare to advance. They are officially giving all women the option to be let out of the kettle.

Police prepare to advance. Photo: Germaine Arnold

2:00pm
General unrest in the crowd, protesters are beginning to push back. Seb Wheeler reports: “It’s a Mexican standoff. The police aren’t messing around this time.”

1:50pm
Views from protesters on the violence:
Hannah Wilson, 20, a drama student, said: “I don’t like it. It should be peaceful. Our president has just told me that she is disappointed. We don’t want violence, the media will focus on that instead of the message.”

Tom Mayer, 23, a student at SOAS, said: “It would be better if it were peaceful, everyone needs to have a clear message.”

Lorna Hamwell, 48, a protester from Norfolk, said: “With an injustice as big as this some violence could be justified if it got publicity.”

Protesters conquering the empty police van. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Protesters storming the empty police van. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Protesters surround the empty police van. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Attempting to set fire to the empty police van. Photo: Germaine Arnold

1:45pm
What began as a bit of fun seems to be spiraling out of control. Protesters are now smashing and spraying graffiti on the police van. A firework has been set off and smokebombs have been thrown. The most discord, in fact, seems to be between protesters, with a tug of war between those who want a peaceful carnival atmosphere and those who want more violent direct action reminiscent of the attack on Millbank tower last week. “Many are annoyed with the violence and not sure what to do,” said our reporter, Sam Foster. “There is much elaborate attention-seeking.”

1:36pm
Protesters have moved in on an empty police van and are dancing happily on top. A troubadour is entertaining the crowd from the top of the van. “I just heard a girl say ‘this is one of the best weeks of my life!’,” reports Seb Wheeler.

1:14pm
Small scuffles are breaking out between police and protesters. A minor bonfire of placards has been lit.

Protesters breaking through barricades. Photo: Germaine Arnold

1:10pm
Protesters are breaking down barriers and throwing debris, Germaine Arnold reports.

1pm
Views from Goldsmiths lecturers:
Charlie Cooper reports: Addressing the rally in front of the university’s main building, Robert Gordon, from the Drama department, said he was “very proud” of the students who marched last week. “We should be supporting students and we should be doing it loudly,” he said of today’s protests.

Anna Furse, a also from the department of Drama, said she had received a telephone call from her daughter to say, “I’m on the march, Mum.” She said she fully supports the school walkout.

“This government thinks that only those who can afford these higher fees have the right to go to university,” said Angela Phillips, a lecturer in Media & Communications. “They are saying that thinking is something that should be done for private profit and not the public good.”

Kettled protesters. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Protesters and police. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Protesters now kettled. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Crowd in Parliament Square. Photo: Germaine Arnold

12:55pm
Protesters are now kettled (i.e. contained within a limited area by police) in Parliament Square but have not yet realised. Things may kick off when they do, reports Seb Wheeler. Meanwhile lecturers at Goldsmiths, who drew criticism from Downing Street two weeks ago for backing the student demonstrators who occupied Conservative Headquarters at Millbank, rallied in support of today’s action.

Student protesters. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Protesters leaving Trafalgar Square. Photo: Germaine Arnold

12:50pm
The protesters are on the move to Westminster at speed, reports Germaine Arnold.

Police arriving en masse in Trafalgar Square. Photo: Germaine Arnold

View from Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square. Photo: Germaine Arnold

12:28pm
Police are amassing in Trafalgar Square, and they are being booed by the protesters. Neil Cafferky, a member of the Socialist party, said: “Young peoples’ futures are being sacrificed. We refuse to pay the debt saddled on us by bankers.” Sarah Creagh of the Socialist Worker, said: “This is a full-scale attack on education policy. It needs to change for the health of society.”

Protesters on Nelson's Column. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Protesters storming Nelson's Column. Photo: Germaine Arnold

12:24pm
Crowds of protesters have descended on Trafalgar Square, our reporter estimates the number at 2,000 and growing. Students are swarming Nelson’s Column. Mrs Kijac, 56, said: “It’s a disgrace. It’s stopping the country having a future.”

Protesters amassing in Trafalgar Square. Photo: Germaine Arnold

Students at London Bridge station on the way to the protest. Photo: Germaine Arnold

11:45am
Students are making their way from Goldsmiths to central London via train. Freida Sweeney-Lynch, a prospective student, said: “It will make many people feel like they can’t go to university.” Although banned from the City of Westminster after his arrest for storming the Millbank Tower last week, James Haywood accompanied students as far as London Bridge. “Good luck guys, power to the people!” he said, as he waved goodbye.

James Haywood. Photo: Germaine Arnold

James Haywood addressing protesters on their way into London. Photo: Germaine Arnold

11:20am
Seb Wheeler reports from the station: “A police forward intelligence team has arrived, keeping an eye out for potential troublemakers and ringleaders.” Police said that their main priority was ensuring there was no damage to property on the way.

11:15am
A cautious police presence is building up outside Goldsmiths, and accompanying students as they set off for the protest in central London. The mood is jovial. Around 45 students from Haberdashers’, a New Cross secondary school, are in attendance with persmission from their parents. They had allegedly been threatened with expulsion if they attended in their school uniforms. An official statement from the school said: “Absence for anything other than illness is unauthorised.  We do not condone young people being advised to walk out of school and so being deprived of their education.”

11am
Around 200 students have assembled at Goldsmiths College in Lewisham. James Haywood, Communications and Campaigns officer for Goldsmiths Student Union, is on the megaphone: “If you want to do some direct action, go ahead. No one is going to stop you.” Students are being told that people will be on hand to offer legal advice. Mr Haywood also confirmed that the protest is to be largely peaceful and non-violent, with a fun carnival atmosphere.

Reporting by Sam Foster, Seb Wheeler, Germaine Arnold, Charlie Cooper, and Chris Stevenson.