Politically-aware students unfurled a banner over the Manchester Ship Canal at Salford Quays on Sunday in a bid to persuade voters to Vote Remain in the EU referendum this week.
The Students for Europe campaign uses the slogan “Don’t sell our futures down the river”, suggesting that Brexit would disproportionately damage their futures, compared to older generations.
The event at MediaCityUK also sought to highlight that the decision made on 23 June will have implications for decades to come.
Hundreds of students took part in the Students for Europe campaign at seven key locations across Britain, in Salford, Belfast, Birmingham, London, Bristol, Cardiff and Newcastle.
MA student Eilis O’Connell said: “Leaving university is scary enough and the EU protects a plethora of rights that we will rely on daily, from workers rights to women’s rights.
“The EU remains one of the main facilitators of peace worldwide and contributed enormously to peace between the UK and my home country of Ireland. The risk of going back to the times of deep divisions is unimaginable.
“I cannot imagine knowingly sacrificing these rights or risking peace.”
Clifford Fleming, National Coordinator of Students for Europe, said: “The consequences of a Brexit will disproportionately affect young people.
“The economic impact will hit our jobs, freedom of movement will be curtailed, and the funding provided to universities will run dry.
“Poll after poll shows young people want to remain in the EU.
“I’m part of a generation that already faces a lifetime with less wealth than my parents. It would be a generational catastrophe if our grandparents end up voting us out.”
The EU referendum takes place on 23 June.
