UK Protesters Clash With Cops Over Tuition Hike

British lawmakers narrowly passed a law that will triple university tuition today—and students let them have it. Thousands gathered to protest outside Parliament, in demonstrations that occasionally became violent, the AP reports. Crowds had gathered even before the vote, throwing flares, billiard balls, and paint bombs, while officers, some mounted, rushed to reinforce the security cordon. Thirteen protesters and six officers were injured, and seven were arrested.

The austerity measure tested the alliance between Liberal Democrats, who had vowed to oppose the tuition hike during the campaign, and Conservatives. When protesters heard the result of the vote, they screamed "Shame!" and booed. "I'm here because the Liberal Democrats broke their promise," said one student. "I don't think education should be free but I do think that tripling fees doesn't make any sense. We are paying more for less." (More Britain stories.)