Lancaster University denies freedom of speech
Phil Exton | 15.05.2005 23:54 | Education | Liverpool
In September 2004 students and local residents of Lancaster organised a peaceful action against a secretly held investment convention at the university campus.
The convention included BAE systems amongst its guests, and a variety of other defence (arms) and technology groups. The university regulraly receives donation and investment from arms firms and other firms involved in serious environmental abuse. It also houses recruitments days that consist primarily of investment banks and red-handed corporations.
The action was assured as within the bounds of the law by police authorities on the scene, but in April 2005 the university pressed charges against a number of demonstrators under "aggravated trespass". The university, it seems, is furthering its policy of student alientation amidst its plunge into private investment. A clear message has been sent to students and locals alike that the university will take a zero-tolerance approach to peaceful dissent or autonomous criticism.
On April 25th 2005, students and academic staff held a short vigil in the name of free-speech at the university campus.
The convention included BAE systems amongst its guests, and a variety of other defence (arms) and technology groups. The university regulraly receives donation and investment from arms firms and other firms involved in serious environmental abuse. It also houses recruitments days that consist primarily of investment banks and red-handed corporations.
The action was assured as within the bounds of the law by police authorities on the scene, but in April 2005 the university pressed charges against a number of demonstrators under "aggravated trespass". The university, it seems, is furthering its policy of student alientation amidst its plunge into private investment. A clear message has been sent to students and locals alike that the university will take a zero-tolerance approach to peaceful dissent or autonomous criticism.
On April 25th 2005, students and academic staff held a short vigil in the name of free-speech at the university campus.
Phil Exton
e-mail:
p.exton@lancs.ac.uk
Comments
Hide the following 10 comments
continue the protest
16.05.2005 13:55
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protest now or forever hold your piece of paper
16.05.2005 17:09
the so called freedom of research in university is curtailed the moment you raise the issue of investment and sponsors like the anti-apartheid campaign against barclays the issue of ethical investments is a time bomb waiting to go off. no doubt some cash is propping up the dictators in tashkent shooting unarmed civilians, but remaining allies of blair and bush.
the protest over south african apartheid investments in liverpool led to wide spread mobilisations and actions especially when ministers were invited by the chancellor to tough out the opposition of idealistic students also the local community antiapartheid groups got involved and drew attention to the slavery past of the city fathers the racist in sa anf the current police racist post riot torn toxteth,the campaign snowballed and grew to embrace the unions(shell oilworkers at the refinery in ellesmere port merseyside took action) and others ....it can be hoped with the agitation for the g8 developing principally in higher education colleges universities schools etc we could make the campaign successful.
as regards tactics we in our youth beat up the tory students supporting apartheid and inviting racist to speak some claimed free speech was paramount alas none was being given to the masses in sa where trade union leaders faced the gallows for striking..
whatever tactic is adopted the spread of the campaign to the community is vital and getting people onside crucial(bit of spin there)i think the liverpool university invested money donated by yoko ono to develop peace studies was inv4ested in bae space..the student paper covered it at the time...will try to send it alt contact the guild here ..
anything is better than nothing better to lose fighting
johno
Why do students
16.05.2005 22:24
jeff
Yea Nice one jeff
17.05.2005 20:08
Student
The right to protest
18.05.2005 10:53
jeff
iTS jEFFS wORLD
18.05.2005 16:27
But sure Jeff if u wanna believe that a uni degree will give me and all other students an automatic high paying job then feel free to dream.
Party Time....Excellent
Universities
18.05.2005 21:02
jeff
Workis a waste of time
19.05.2005 14:05
Later
same student last comment
clarification
22.05.2005 16:31
someone
University Challenge
22.05.2005 17:48
Pressure is on in LJMU also with sackings of lecturers. There are aricles on Kirkby Times relating how on professor got his belongings threw in a skip.
See here
You know better than I that Uni has commercial interests looking to drag the system of learning into one of mere profit driven courses. You can train 200 philosophy students, but in this day and age knowledge itself means little anymore. In fact it is downright dangerous having too many people educated beyond the basic 3 r's and suchlike.
Good luck
KT
Kirkby Times
e-mail:
freemoney@lagos.scam
Homepage:
http://www.kirkbytimes.co.uk