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Protesters Fail to Stop Debate

Students chant "Nazi Scum" at attendees of Oxford debate

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 26, 2007 6:08 PM CST

(Newser) – An Oxford Union debate is underway despite 30 students who rushed inside and delayed proceedings with a sit-down protest, BBC reports. Five hundred more are picketing outside and blocked about half of attendees from entering. Students chanted "Keep Oxford fascist-free! Shame on you!” in opposition to right-wing leader Nick Griffin and holocaust denier David Irving speaking at the event.

Novelist Anne Atkins, a debate participant, supported the society's decision to let Griffin and Irving take part. "When you say that the majority view is always right I think that is a deeply dangerous and disturbing thing to say," she said. An Oxford student union rep argued for the protesters, saying, "What we are doing here tonight at the Oxford Union is putting them on a platform that will give them legitimacy and credibility."

The leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin, left, is surrounded by his security men as he arrives for a free speech forum at the Oxford Union debating society in Oxford, England, Monday Nov. 26, 2007.  Oxford University's Jewish and Muslim societies are among the student groups joining together...
The leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin, left, is surrounded by his security men as he arrives for a free speech forum at the Oxford Union debating society in Oxford, England, Monday Nov....   (Associated Press)
A man, right, expresses views opposing those of protesters taking part in an anti-British National Party, BNP, demonstration outside a free speech forum at the Oxford Union debating society in Oxford, England, Monday Nov. 26, 2007.    (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
A man, right, expresses views opposing those of protesters taking part in an anti-British National Party, BNP, demonstration outside a free speech forum at the Oxford Union debating society in Oxford,...   (Associated Press)
British police officers remove a man who aggressively opposed the views of protesters taking part in an anti-BNP (British Nationalist Party) demonstration outside a free speech forum at the Oxford Union debating society in Oxford, England, Monday Nov. 26, 2007.  Oxford University's Jewish and Muslim societies are among the student...
British police officers remove a man who aggressively opposed the views of protesters taking part in an anti-BNP (British Nationalist Party) demonstration outside a free speech forum at the Oxford Union...   (Associated Press)
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