On the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 27, hundreds of people gathered in the Engineering Atrium to rally against the proposed budget cuts at the University of Manitoba. Those in attendance included representatives from the University of Manitoba Students’ Union, the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association, the University of Manitoba Faculty Association, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Association of Employees Supporting Education Services, the Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba, and the Student Action Network, along with concerned students, faculty members, and staff.

The rally was held outside the Alan A. Borger Sr. Executive Conference Room, where the Board of Governors was holding their regular meeting. Before the meeting started there were speeches from several organizers. Shortly after the beginning of the meeting, some students entered the meeting chambers as visitors, while the majority of the protesters set off on a march around campus.

Rallying: “Stop the cuts!”

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Students, staff, and faculty gather in the Engineering Atrium for speeches, chanting, and marching with placards. Video by Dana Hatherly.

Crashing the meeting: “I’m not allowed in with my placard”

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Members of the university community exercised their right to attend the Board of Governors meeting as visitors. However, only a small number were allowed in due to room occupancy limits, and those with placards or recording devices were asked to leave – a policy for Board of Governors meetings that was posted on the door to the meeting chambers.

One correspondent from the Manitoban was admitted to the chambers for a portion of the meeting, but was not able to take pictures or recordings. Video by Tom Ingram.

Marching around campus: “Budget cuts are the worst; education should be first”

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After the speeches outside the meeting chambers, the protesters marched around campus. This video follows them coming from Chancellor’s Circle through University Centre and back to Engineering. Video by Tom Ingram.

Kicked out of the meeting: Closed Session

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Several protesters attended the Board of Governors meeting as visitors. However, the Board conducts confidential business during closed sessions, which visitors are not allowed to attend. The visitors were asked to leave when the closed portion of the meeting began. Video by Tom Ingram.

The end of the march: “When I say ‘Stop the’ you say ‘Cuts!'”

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The marchers return to the Engineering Atrium and disperse shortly thereafter. Video by Tom Ingram.

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