UNITE AGAINST RACIST DIVISION

OXFORD SAYS NO TO HATE  - FASCISTS NOT WELCOME

OPPOSE THE ‘STOP THE BOATS’ HATE MARCH

Assemble 1:30PM  Saturday 14th November, Carfax Tower

Oxfordshire Patriots have announced a “stop the boats” hate march in Oxford town centre.

They are part of a movement of ‘patriot’ groups who have been trying to whip up racist mobs on our streets.

Some of the recent ‘patriot’ protests have see violence against emergency workers, including the RNLI, that have lead to arrests (Oxfordshire patriots called, then cancelled, a protest at a local fundraiser for the RNLI!)

They support Britain’s #1 fascist, Tommy Robinson, and his hench-man Danny Tommo, leader of the balaclava wearing, paramilitary inspired, Patriot Platform.

Last year Oxfordshire Patriots held racist protests outside an Oxford hotel housing people awaiting outcomes of asylum applications.

The Patriots campaign collapsed in the face of larger public opposition to their hate.

Now they want to re-launch their racist hate campaign on Oxford’s streets bouyed up by the surge in protests by other far right  ‘patriot’ groups.

Their recent actions have been small, but they want to normalise their racist presence on our streets, and we cannot allow this to become normal.

They are also trying to build support for Raise the Colours leader Ryan Bridge who is on trial in Oxford for offences when he and Oxfordshire Patriots put up flags as part of a campaign of racist intimidation. Bridge is charged with multiple counts of abusive and threatening behaviour including one count of racially aggravated violence and common assault. 

Join us to drown out the Oxfordshire Patriots’ message of hate on 14th Nov.  

FAR RIGHT OFF CAMPUS

WHITE SUPREMACIST 

NATHAN COFNASS

NOT WELCOME IN OXFORD

Assemble 5PM Oriel Square,  OX1 4EW  

Statement initiated by Oxford Student's Coalition against Racism

We  oppose the Oxford University Reform UK Society’s invitation to Nathan Cofnas to speak at Oriel College on 17 November, at an event titled “Is DEI Undermining Higher Education?”

Cofnas is not simply a critic of diversity policy. He is a self-described “race realist” who argues that genes contribute to racial group differences in intelligence. Contemporary genetics has rejected the scientific racism and eugenics which Cofnas draws upon. He has claimed that in a meritocracy “the number of black professors would approach 0%.” 

He also publicly questioned Professor Jason Arday’s appointment, asking whether Cambridge believed “the only way to have black professors is to abandon all standards.” An inquest into Professor Arday’s death is ongoing. Out of respect for that process and for his family, we say no more.

Reform UK claims recent revelations of racism in its ranks concern a few “bad apples.” Yet its Oxford society is willing to promote racist ideas. Ideas platformed at Oxford do not stay in the lecture theatre. They travel through social media and political debate, carrying the University’s authority. 

We value academic freedom. But free speech does not extinguish duties under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty. Nor does it remove responsibility for the safety and welfare of Black students and staff.

Oriel College says it “abhors racism and discrimination in all its forms.” To live by those words, it should cancel this event. Failing that it should at least postpone it pending a full written response to the following:

Publish the event risk assessment: Oriel College must explain how it has considered its equality duties, safeguarding responsibilities and the welfare of students and staff. 

Safeguard Black students and staff: Take meaningful steps to protect Black students and staff, including clear arrangements for reporting racist incidents and engagement with Black student organisations to address concerns ahead of the event.

Commission an independent review: Review how the decision to host this event was made and what lessons should be learned, with Black student organisations involved in the process and the findings made public.