Thursday, February 21, 2008

Ogra Shinn Fein create petition opposing censorship at University of Ulster

Ogra Shinn Fein have created an online petition to oppose the controversial University of Ulster's 'political protocol'.

The University of Ulster currently has a 'political protocol' in place which effectively bars political parties to organise openly and freely in the Universities campus and its facilities.

To date, all political parties organised in the University of Ulster have faced the brunt of the 'political protocol'. Elected representatives are banned from attending Fresher's Fayre and where threatened to be forcibly removed by UU staff at Magee's recent Fresher's, and the Ogra Shinn Fein cumann at Jordanstown where also recently refused to set up a stall to promote the pressing issue of drug and alcohol awareness.


Ogra Shinn Fein are set to step up the campaign to overturn the 'protocol', and are asking other political organisations, college societies, the student body and general public to support the campaign and oppose the Universities blatant censorship and disregard for freedom of speech.

Urging people to sign the online petition, University of Ulster student and Councillor Johnny McGibbon said,

"I am calling on those who support freedom of speech and political expression to sign this petition which opposes the University of Ulster's 'politicol protocol.' As citizens in the North of Ireland move forward to a shared future, a future of mutual respect for diversity, and nurtured through discussion, the University of Ulster is stuck in a time warp."

"The University of Ulster is stating through this 'protocol' that politics is contencious, that debate and respect for diversity is wrong. This crazy decision instead of helping us fight the disgusting acts of sectarianism and racism in modern society, actually fosters the ignorance that creates these evils."

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Keep active on this one comrades the uu has shot itself in the foot here

Anonymous said...

cut the crap !!! get online and sign it,then forward to other concerned individuals or students.go on, go on, you will, you will, you will.

Anonymous said...

This is an issue that we can win. OSF are taking the lead on this and other youth wings are joint up on this.

Sign the petition now, email it on and ensure that as many sign this as possible.

The University cumann should be collecting signatures on campus, get up and do it.

Paddy

Anonymous said...

Just signed. This is a great issue for is to be organising on. Freedom of speech now.

I also see that gaskinbalrog and mairtin o muilleor's blog have carried this.

This needs to be pushed. The UU can't justify this.

Maire C