Pro-abortion students have trashed a pro-life stall at Oxford University’s Freshers’ Fair in an unprovoked attack on free speech. SPUC has condemned the “shocking” incident and demanded more protections for pro-life students on UK campuses.
The stall, representing and run by Oxford Students for Life (OSFL), was destroyed when a group of students threw the contents of the stand into a bin, which was then taken outside. The offenders then remonstrated with security and demanded that the OSFL stall not be reinstated.
The Oxford Student Union has so far not condemned the aggression directed at the group, but instead commented that it understood “the emotive responses and frustrations towards the presence of an anti-abortion stall”.
Meanwhile, OSFL has been targeted online by other Oxford groups and individuals seeking to have it “cancelled”.
One person posted on Facebook: “Is anyone else furious that there is an anti-abortion society at Oxford? How is it even allowed to exist and advertise at the Freshers’ Fair?”
“Epidemic” of abuse directed at pro-life students
The Oxford incident comes after pro-life students at the University of Exeter were subject to horrific abuse and death threats, as well as a petition calling on Exeter Students for Life to be banned, as reported by SPUC.
Threats directed at members of the society included, “Fav place in Exeter gonna be the BOTTOM of the quay if u int careful”, and “Someone beat him up.”
SPUC’s Dr. Daniel Frampton, Editorial Officer, said: “UK campuses are becoming increasingly hostile to pro-life students and groups who wish to uphold and communicate peacefully pro-life values.
“They are seeking dialogue, not confrontation.
“While universities and student unions have, for the most part, upheld the right to free speech of students, they are not doing enough to combat the epidemic of abuse and intimidation currently being directed at pro-life students.
“It must be made clear to all students that being part of a university means being exposed to different points of view and being the better for it.”
Promoting pro-life culture and a diversity of views
In the aftermath of the Oxford Freshers’ Fair, OSFL issued a statement reproving the “intimidation tactics” directed at its members by “a small minority of students”.
“The vast majority of our interactions on the stall were interesting and respectful, and we had conversations with a diverse group of students with differing views”, said OSFL.
The President of Oxford Students for Life, Anna Fleisher, added: “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…
“Like most student societies of the University, we use the Freshers’ Fair to promote our mission and events.
“We are a secular, non-sectarian society, seeking to promote the culture of life at the University and beyond, by fostering discussion and education on beginning and end of life ethical issues, from a pro-life perspective.”