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Durham Students Union has today voted to disaffiliate itself with the National Union of Students following the latter’s heavy handed and threatening tactics prior to a debate which was due to take place at the university in February. Andrew Brons MEP and Cllr Chris Beverley were both due to attend the debate on behalf of the BNP.

The event was eventually cancelled after threatening letters from the NUS were sent to student leaders at the university leaving them in no doubt that should they continue uphold democracy and freedom of speech, they would face protests by various groups including Unite Against Fascism (sic) and implied there would be violence against students.

“Should you fail to listen to our advice [to cancel the event] you will have a colossal demonstration on your hands. The National Union of Students, Unite Against Fascism, and other anti-fascist organisations are already mobilising nationally and organising coach loads of students to demonstrate at your university on Friday evening. This will no doubt bring with it a lot of negative media attention and if any students are hurt in and around this event responsibility will lie with you.

We would appreciate it if you could outline how you will now proceed with this issue and ensure that those students who are under threat from the BNP’s racist and homophobic principles will be protected.

We await your prompt response.

Regards,

Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy

NUS Black Students’ Officer

NUS Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism Convenor

Daf Adley

NUS LGBT Officer

NUS Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism Committee”

Anyone who has followed the activities of  the violent outfit, supported by David Cameron and others opposed to democracy, knows that to stand up for freedom means you have a real chance of becoming a victim of the UAF’s hammer wielding thugs and that you will not be protected by the police.

We should congratulate the students of Durham for taking this principled stand against the fascist bullies of the NUS and UAF. They may not support us but that fact that they are taking a stand against those who would deny both them and us our freedom is worthy of our support.

Now let’s see if they grow enough of a backbone to invite us to further debates and actually go ahead with them.

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