Hypocrisy and Half-truths at University of Ulster

Sinn Féin Councillor and Ógra activist in the University of Ulster, Cllr. Johnny McGibbon has commented on the ongoing controversy over political censorship in the University.


Cllr. Mc Gibbon said,

“I think it nothing short of a disgrace that in 2008, a University and its Student’s Union, is pursuing a policy of political censorship.”

“The recent controversy over a leaflet appearing in the UUJ Campus, showing an IRA salute, is nothing but a by-product of the ‘political protocol’. The young republican’s where promoting an event through a leaflet which also included an historic image of an IRA final salute. We feel that it is right to remember the past, and only by remembering and talking about the past, can we truly move forward to a shared future. The actual event which was held on campus, had members of the PUP and the Unionist community in attendance, who engaged fully in the debate which followed the talk.”

“The UU Student’s Union taking the opportunity to push the issue into the public spotlight without first talking to the Ógra Shinn Féin cumann shows the level of opportunism and unprofessional nature of the body and those supposedly running it.”

“The ‘Political Protocol’ is the overall issue here. This is where all the other issues are stemming from. The fact that a University has a document attempting to control political activity is extremely worrying. If this type of policy was being adopted by a government, it would be seen as oppression.”

“The University of Ulster’s disgraceful ‘political protocol’ eagerly being promoted by the appeasing Student’s Union body is full of contradictions and hypocrisy. They have failed to mention their refusal of a drug and alcohol awareness stall, requested by the James Sheridan Cumann as it was deemed offensive. And yet they openly allow the British War Machine to recruit across the majority nationalist campus, an occupation force that the majority of student’s find offensive as it continues its death and destruction in Iraq and Afghanistan today. I wonder what the eagerly quoted student union reps have to say about that?”

“The actions of the Student’s Union in not even consulting the UUJ Cumann before going to the media; in making allegations against Ógra Shinn Féin, speculating that they will be banned from organising and their suppressive attitude to political activity on campus, is hugely concerning and will be challenged!”

Register your protest with the University by signing the online petition at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/protocol/petition.html