UK Edition
Protesters destroy pro-life stand at Oxford University freshers’ fair
All students have a right to freedom of expression, say university chiefs, after protesters tussle with members of anti-abortion society
Oxford University has condemned the destruction of a pro-life stand at a freshers’ fair
A group of students threw the contents of the Oxford Students for Life (OSFL) stall into a bin bag on Thursday, before being confronted by security guards patrolling the fair.
The protesters refused to leave until they were assured that the stall would not be reinstated, and threatened to tear it down if it was put back up.
Photos of the event show the protesters tussling with members of the anti-abortion society, the Oxford Student reported.
OSFL has described itself as a “non-sectarian, student-run society” that "seeks to promote a culture of life at the university and in the wider community, advocating the protection of human life and dignity from conception to natural death”.
Oxford University has condemned the protesters' actions, saying the academic institution has a strong history of free speech.
A spokesman for the university said: "The university supports the right of all our students and student groups to express views of all persuasions within the law.
“We therefore condemn this afternoon’s protest against the Oxford Students for Life stall, which was an attempt to deny the right of expression to others.
“We have a robust freedom of speech policy which states that 'within the bounds set by law, all voices or views which any member of our community considers relevant should be given the chance of a hearing'.
Meanwhile, the president of OSFL defended the group’s presence at the event, saying they were disappointed by the “small group of students” taking direct action.
The OSFL said: “Like most student societies of the university, we use the Freshers’ Fair to promote our mission and events.
"As someone who describes herself as a pro-life feminist, I believe promoting discussion and serious reflection on issues like abortion which affect women so profoundly is not only deeply worthwhile, but necessary.
“We are disappointed that a small group of students decided to take direct action against our stall, and are grateful to those working at the fair who have worked to protect our right to maintain our presence there.”
The protests came after an anti-abortion society at Exeter University was forced to call the police when members received death threats from students.