Students’ unions from Canterbury College, Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Kent and the University of the Creative Arts marched through the city carrying placards and shouting "Love Canterbury, Hate Debt". The protest ended in the Dane John gardens, where they were addressed by Aaron Porter, vice-president (Higher Education) of the National Union of Students.
“We were very pleased with the turn-out on the march and lots more students said they would have joined it but they were working to try to make ends meet,” said Aaron Porter.
"With bleak employment prospects and soaring levels of debt, now at an average of £22,00, enough is enough. The vast majority of politicians got free education or grants but it is not like that for us."
The protest was followed by a debate on ‘The Future Of Fees’ with NUS President Wes Streeting and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates Jean Samuel, Damien Collins and Lynne Beaumont.
NUS has warned candidates that students and their families will not be prepared to pay more for less or vote for candidates who do not come clean on fees. The message is clear, if candidates do not vote for students, then students will not vote for them.
Thousands have now signed the Vote for Students pledge and you can too by clicking here.
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