- RSW 03 Page 7 -
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In mid January Exeter AFA learnt that the Debating Society at Exeter University intended to invite the BNP to speak. If this was not bad enough the Debating Society had the full support of the Exeter Guild of Students (NUS) on the basis that freedom of speech was more important than any anti-racist commitment.
Exeter AFA was rather gob smacked by the level of political ignorance and naivety from both the Debating Society and the Guild of Students in particular. Recently there has been no fascist activity in Exeter for the first time in 10 years, and now the students were inviting them back! This despite the fact that it is entirely against NUS policy nationally regarding no platform for fascists.
Supporting fascism is one thing but to argue, as some did, that inviting the BNP to address a debate was actually a way of raising awareness on racism was really quiet astounding. The debate was on a racist agenda - "This house believes that people of Third World origin should be sent home"
The Devon & Exeter Racial Equality Council did a fine job of lobbying and working behind the scenes to try and persuade the students that they were engaging in sheer madness, all to no avail. The first story that broke in the local paper was all about "freedom of speech", and how under the "freedom of speech act" the meeting was obliged to go ahead. These people are supposed to be educated for Christ's' sake! Since when has there been a freedom of speech act or freedom of speech for that matter. It took the local plod to point out that legally there is no freedom of speech when it comes to incitement to racial hatred.
Exeter AFA decided that a full-scale mobilisation would have to take place and went into action to organise a picket of the meeting. Exeter AFA told the Express & Echo that we would be mobilising for the meeting and against the BNP, who we expected to be present in force. "Did we think there would be trouble?" Well actually that did seem quite possible. The journalist then presumably contacted the police and the University authorities and then within a day or so the meeting was officially cancelled. The University authorities had taken advice from the police and refused to let the meeting go ahead. The students and the BNP promptly moaned about freedom of speech.
It remains an incredible fact that a Student Union representing a University with a substantial ethnic minority could ever contemplate backing a meeting with the BNP. For this reason Exeter AFA believes the matter is far from over. Besides, what is to stop the students from finding an alternative venue so that they can invite the BNP?
As many organisations, particularly Student Unions, need to condemn Exeter Guild of Students as possible and pledge support for any demonstration that may need to be called against any future meeting with the BNP. So far Exeter AFA has had a positive response from a number of NUS branches around Devon but we need to get backing from Student Unions and Trade Unions throughout the region.
Motions and letters should be sent to: Exeter Guild of Students, University of Exeter, Devonshire House, Stocker Road, Exeter and copies should be sent to Exeter AFA, PO Box 185, Exeter EX4 4EW.