Ogra Shinn Fein create petition opposing censorship @ University of Ulster

[Ógra Shinn Féin]

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 contenious, 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."

Sign the online petition at:

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

[robertemmett]

Has Student Grant not already started a thread on this topic?

[tireoghan]

Has Student Grant not already started a thread on this topic?

Ogra have about as much back bone as an eel; I couldnt support them on anything after the U-Turn they did on policing - absolutely no credability!

[Young Irelander]

Orga Shinn Fein abu...

[duggie-89]

Ogra have about as much back bone as an eel; I couldnt support them on anything after the U-Turn they did on policing - absolutely no credability!

so you would refuse to support them on a matter such as this where its not about the police but freedom of speech??? are you really that bitter that all you care about is the police?????

and great work Ogra

[tireoghan]

so you would refuse to support them on a matter such as this where its not about the police but freedom of speech??? are you really that bitter that all you care about is the police?????

and great work Ogra

Why would I back a group who may change their mind about the protest. Im not bitter about anything to do with Sinn Fein, just pointing out that their track record on principle isnt that great.

[robertemmett]

and will the university authorities accept a petition signed by people who are NOT members of its institution?

(could someone point the last time one of these online petitions actually changed the thing the petition was about in the first place)

[Hildy]

Students' union could kick out SF youth wing
Belfast Telegraph (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3515042.ece)

Friday, March 14, 2008

Sinn Fein's youth wing faces expulsion from the University of Ulster's Students' Union for breaking university guidelines, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.

Ogra Shinn Fein is being investigated for distributing a leaflet which included images of masked gunmen.

The picture of the individuals, standing over a coffin draped in the Irish tricolour pointing weapons in the air, appeared on a flyer advertising the innaugural James Sheridan lecture in which Sinn Fein councillors Ian Milne and Peter Bateson spoke.

Sheridan was a member of the south Derry brigade of the IRA.

He was 20 when he died during an accidental explosion in Magherafelt on the night of 18 December 1971. The leaflet, which included Sinn Fein's website, encouraged students to hear the "remarkable story" of the " courageous" Sheridan.

The university adopts a strict political protocol whereby posters informing people of the subject, time and venue of a meeting are allowed to be displayed. A university spokesperson said: "They are not permitted to distribute leaflets or display posters which other members of the university would regard as offensive,"

"Because of this group's behaviour on this occasion, we understand that consideration is being given to the withdrawal of their accreditation as a recognised club or society within the Students' Union."

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s6/hildydonovan/sf1_264745a.jpg


The Students' Union President said it was likely that Ogra Shinn Fein would lose rights, such as access to buildings.

Danny O'Connor said: "A letter will be sent to them. We don't like what they did. They will be pulled in within the union. We can't let that slide past."

A distressed student, whose policeman father was killed by the south Derry brigade, contacted the Belfast Telegraph to express his disgust.

The student said: "It breaks my heart that the upper echelons of society give succour to such justification of murder by volunteers [described as] "brave patriot dead" and "Irish soldier" under the guise of educational politics."

A spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party said: "This event was disgusting, wrong and highly inappropriate. There is no place for such an event in a modern tolerant university."

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson appealed for the university to apologise.

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: "In no way was there an intention to cause any distress."

Sinn Fein councillor Ian Milne said: "I presume it was nothing more than to alert the student population of the lecture."

This disgusting, and nothing more than censorship! It's the history of their movement, so what! I wish you the best in fighting this discrimination, Ógra Shinn Féin!

[TirEoghainLad]

Heard Johnny McGibbon on talk back the other day. he spoke very well.

Keep up the good work ogra!!!

[robertemmett]

ogra wont be so active tomorrow in armagh when the head of the crown forces comes to visit. so obviously they dont mind a bit of self censorship. they would rather stick on road safety campaigns etc... where they dont actually annoy anybody.

perhaps daddy PSF wont let them protest against the monarch visit to armagh.

[Sinn Féin DCU]

A similar problem is beginning to arise in Dublin City University.

Sinn Fein, the Workers Solidarity Movement, DCU Leftist Coalition and Shell to Sea have all been victims of censorship on behalf of the University and in particular the Students Union

[boiler-1888]

They were also kicked out of UoU elections for using copied material. UOU rules state that all material must be drawn up by hand however the 'Baby Armani Brigade' used glossy leaflets and posters.

[roisindubh]

My hat go's off to OgraSF all they are trying to do with the ulster university is make it totally free of speech wich is all in all goal orientated for a free north, and as for the students passing around leaflets for the innaugural James Sheridan lecture and getting faced with expulsion is a smack in the mouth you should be aloud to commemorate and educate about a fallin young republican college is a place for education and freedom of speech, Ogra has a great thing goin for the youth of the north.

[robertemmett]

My hat go's off to OgraSF all they are trying to do with the ulster university is make it totally free of speech wich is all in all goal orientated for a free north, and as for the students passing around leaflets for the innaugural James Sheridan lecture and getting faced with expulsion is a smack in the mouth you should be aloud to commemorate and educate about a fallin young republican college is a place for education and freedom of speech, Ogra has a great thing goin for the youth of the north.


can we expect to see OSF students picketing outside the ATN offices, as it is another institution that doesnt respect freedom of speech, or is it Connolly House??

[roisindubh]

Lol I said nothing of picketing outside ATN offices my friend I was stating that I respect Ogra and them being able to express them selves freely on campus thats not to much to ask.

[Foyleview]

well done guys