Leaders label the invite 'dangerous and irresponsible' to students' safety.
No Platform for fascists in Oxford Union
Rally
Tuesday 20 November, 7.30pm
Oxford Town Hall
Speakers:
· Martin McCluskey, Oxford University Student Union President
· Ruqayyah Collector, NUS Black Students Officer
· Scott Cuthbertson, NUS LGBT Officer
· Megan Dobney, TUC South East Region Secretary
· Lee Jasper, National Assembly Against Racism Secretary
· Weyman Bennett, Unite Against Fascism
· Nigel Carter, Oxford District Trades Council
· And representatives from the Union of Jewish Students and University College Union
The President of the National Union of Students (NUS), Trade unionists and community representatives joined anti-fascist campaigners to condemn the invite by Oxford Union to Nick Griffin leader of the fascist British National Party (BNP) and David Irving. Both men have criminal convictions linked to Holocaust denial. Campaigners are calling the invite to the union's "Free speech Forum" irresponsible, due to the danger that fascism poses to students on campus.
A broad platform of speakers addressing the rally will outline the threat that fascism poses to different communities and the danger of giving fascism legitimacy through debates on union campuses.
This follows a similar initiative at Bath University this summer where the BNP was stopped from speaking on the grounds of safety.
Martin McCluskey, President of Oxford University Students Union, said:
"First and foremost, Oxford University Students Union has been concerned about the safety of students and local residents of Oxford. From the outset, we have made it clear we support freedom of speech and any genuine debate on it. Where the BNP and Holocaust deniers go, violence follows. We call on the President the president of Oxford Union to withdraw these invites."
NUS President Gemma Tumelty said:
"The Holocaust denier, David Irving and leader of the fascist BNP, Nick Griffin have no place in our multicultural society let alone on our diverse university campuses. NUS utterly opposes racism and fascism wherever it arises and will certainly oppose any attempt by Oxford University's Debating Society to invite Irving and Griffin to speak.
"The pair's racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, Islamophobic views threaten the safety of our diverse university communities. For example, wherever the BNP is active, racist attacks and other hate crimes increase.
"With freedom of speech comes the responsibility not to abuse it. All students have a right to learn in an environment free from discrimination or harassment. It is unacceptable to expose students and staff at any university to the possibility of attacks and to give a platform of academic respectability to Griffin and Irving.
"We would condemn their presence on any campus and will certainly be active in a campaigning to ensure that they are not given a platform at Oxford. Whenever we get confirmed information about his intended campus visit NUS will act swiftly and severely."
Dr. Edie Friedman, Jewish Council for Racial Equality Director, said:
"The Holocaust was one of the greatest crimes of the 20th century and its apologists are today resurfacing in academic spheres. When the Nazis were defeated, the world said 'Never Again', that means never again would we, who truly value democracy, allow it to be used to promote fascism. If we truly value democracy we must not give platforms to those who seek to destroy it."
Lee Jasper, Secretary of the National Assembly Against Racism, said:
"The BNP's presence results in a rise in hate crimes, primarily racist attacks. The idea that it is participating in a debate in order to promote freedom is grotesque - it craves legitimacy in order to drive fascism into mainstream politics. The consequences for black communities are stark: In Barking, the BNP holds its largest ever number of councillors, elected by whipping up racist lies about black communities – Barking saw racist attacks soar resulting from the BNP's presence, at a time when rest of London, which is fascist free, has seen racist attacks drop to record lows. Oxford Union must withdraw these invites – they pose a clear and present danger to many on campus."
Sabby Dhalu, Unite Against Fascism Joint Secretary, said:
"Giving academic legitimacy to the fascist ideology that Griffin and Irving represent must be condemned. Fascism does not believe in freedom of speech for black, Muslim, Jewish, lesbian, gay, disabled people, trade unionists and its' opponents, therefore an invitation to Griffin and Irving in a so-called free speech forum is absurd.
The BNP is a fascist and racist organisation full of criminal thugs that stands for an all white Britain. This would only be possible by violence and shutting down democracy.
Fascism stands for the murder of millions, the annihilation of communities and the destruction of democracy and all human rights. Oxford Union is jeopardising the safety of its students by giving legitimacy to inciteful fascist ideology."
Weyman Bennett, Joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism said:
"The BNP is a Nazi party which aims to destroy democracy. In the 21st century we should make sure that Nazis do not get a foothold. The BNP will use the banner of freedom of speech to trample on all those they consider inferior. The voices of the 12 million people murdered by the Nazis cannot go unheard. Irving and griffin are hoping that the lessons of the Holocaust, to be vigilant against fascism in our midst, can be forgotten in order to rehabilitate fascism, which was responsible for mass murder. The fascist crave respectability in order to grow. Every time the fascist BNP have been given a respectable platform it encourages racist attacks."
For more information contact Denis Fernando on 07790022472 or Weyman Bennett on 07734 032314 or 020 78334916 or unite@ucu.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Unite Against Fascism is a broad based national campaign aimed at stopping the BNP, which brings together Black, Jewish, Muslim communities and other faith representatives, lesbian and gay activists, trade unionists and MPs into an alliance with all those who are threatened by and oppose fascism.
2. In the event that Griffin and Irving are allowed to speak, a demo has been called on Monday 26 November 7pm, outside the Oxford
Union, St. Michael Street, Oxford, called by Oxford University Student Union, Oxford Unite Against Fascism, Oxford Trades Council,
Oxford University Labour Club, Oxford Unison Health and Unite Against Fascism.