The “Fund the Future” rally was held on Wednesday this week as protestors gathered around the clocktower near the University Centre at Memorial to voice their concerns regarding tuition fees and student issues. The main goals of the protestors were to reinstate the needs-based grant program for students, and to reduce tuition gradually to the point of elimination.
Plans to march to Dwight Ball’s office to deliver a manifesto in the form of around 9000 signed postcards were adjusted due to the severe cold and rain, and students instead met in the Breezeway where pizza and coffee were readily available.
There were plenty of chants being shouted by attendees and organizers, and representatives from MUNFA and MUNSU gave empassioned speeches about problems with tuition prices, occasionally calling out premier Dwight Ball by name.
Most in the crowd were in agreement, although one young student was walking amongst the protestors and voicing his dissent with the event – at one point yelling “raise taxes”. He left midway through and was mostly ignored, aside from an organizer who briefly argued with him.
The event was a success, and will likely occur in a similar fashion next year.