Kanja Sesay, NUS Black Students’ Officer, has just sent the following letter to the NUS President, Aaron Porter.
He urges all student activists and student leaders to join him in urging the NUS President to go the extra mile to organise a national demonstration next Thursday – and as such lead a united fight against the government’s disastrous policies.
The Free Education Campaign fully supports Kanja’s letter – other student leaders and activists should join his call. Email Aaron at aaron.porter@nus.org.uk
Dear Aaron,
With one week to go until the parliamentary vote on tuition fees takes place I write to urge you to step up our campaigning on a national level in a way which will mobilise the deep anger and opposition to the government’s proposal.
I welcome NUS’ recent move to work with the UCU to organise the following:
* Protests at universities across the country on the day prior to the student funding vote in Parliament
* Mass lobby of MPs on the day itself followed by a rally in Westminster
* A ‘candlelit’ vigil during the evening of the vote with 9,000 ‘candles’ to represent potential fees
In addition to these initiatives I urge you call another national demonstration on Thursday 9th December - the day of the vote. We have the potential to mobilise many tens of thousands of students, lecturers and the wider public to demonstrate their opposition to £9,000 fees. I believe at this crucial stage in the campaign NUS must do all it can to facilitate such a mobilisation.
I propose NUS organises a march from Trafalgar Square to Parliament on the day of the vote.
I have submitted an emergency motion to the NUS NEC meeting this Monday calling for another national demonstration. I hope we can count on your support as NUS President.
In unity,
Kanja Sesay
NUS Black Students’ Officer
Kanja.sesay@nus.org.uk
