Student societies criticise University of Bristol and Bristol SU in open letter, following far-right influencers on campus

By Beth Robinson, Sci-Tech Deputy Editor

Bristol Leftist Collective (BLC), Bristol Socialist Society (SocSoc), Bristol Socialist Worker Student Society (SWSS), Bristol Plant-Based Society, and Bristol Philosophy Society (PhilSoc) have published an open letter calling on the University and Bristol SU to take action to ‘support marginalised communities’ and ‘safeguard the students’ freedom of protest’, following the recent appearances of two far-right influencers on campus.

The letter states:

‘We believe that Bristol is anti-fascist, anti-racist and pro-trans and women liberation, and that it is the University of Bristol and Bristol Student Union responsibility to champion that.’

The letter can be read in full below:

Open Letter - Bristol University is anti-facist!

This is an open letter addressed to the University of Bristol and Bristol Student Union, concerning the presence of far right influencers on campus. We believe that Bristol is anti-facist, anti-racist and pro-trans and women liberation, and that it is the University of Bristol and Bristol Students Union responsibility to champion that. In recent weeks the University has been visited by two young men outside Senate house. One goes by the name of ‘Young Bob’, and the other represents the group ‘Freedom Watch GB’. Both engage in a Charlie Kirk style of debate where they choose a statement and set up a table and microphone for students to stand in opposition. On the 14th of September Young Bob appeared with the statement: ‘Millions must be deported’. He was met with a counter protest. More recently, on the 5th of October, another ‘debater’ appeared with the statement: ‘A British passport does not make you British’. He was also met with a counter protest that resulted in a physical altercation. Let’s be clear - Young Bob, Freedom Watch GB and Bristol Patriots brought violence and hate speech onto campus. It is our belief that they were hateful, divisive, dangerous, discriminatory and openly fascistic. The far-right grifters have reduced people’s lived experience of colonialism, racism and migration to a matter of debate at best, and a pawn in political movement at worst. The students and the Bristol community have the right to resist and protect our own marginalised community. Bristol and the University’s multiculturalism is part of what makes the city such a vibrant and wonderful place to live. The statements made by the far right grifters on campus stand in diametric opposition to this reality. The ideas presented by those aforementioned are not simply ideological movements. Rather they act within a wider sociopolitical background of spreading xenophobia, racism and discrimination, materially impacting the lives of Bristol students and wider community. This letter aims to look beyond the legality of the speaker’s presence outside Senate house. Rather it looks towards the lived experiences of students and Bristol residents. Racism is not just a word on a page. It is a painful reality. Currently, the University of Bristol and SU are enabling the dissemination of racist ideologies through its inexcusable inaction. Therefore, as a collective we ask that the University and the SU plays a more active role in supporting marginalised community, in particular our student of colour and trans students. Linked directly to that is the students right to activism. We believe that the University and the SU must safeguard the students’ freedom of protest.

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This comes after social media activists Young Bob and Montgomery Toms set up on a public pavement on Woodland Road outside Senate House on September 14 and October 5, respectively.

Attempting to set up a platform for debate, the influencers made statements such as ‘We need to deport millions’ and ‘A British passport doesn't make you British’. Both have been met with heavy student protest.

Ben Pinker, of the anti-migrant group Bristol Rises, also appeared on October 5 and engaged in a physical altercation with a student.

The letter claims these appearances and statements are ‘fascistic’, arguing they spread ‘xenophobia, racism and discrimination’ and ‘materially impacting’ students.

It also points to the positives of Bristol’s multiculturalism, saying that statements from these figures stand in ‘diametric opposition’ to this.

The letter claims the University of Bristol and Bristol SU are ‘enabling the dissemination of racist ideologies through its inexcusable inaction.’

It calls on both parties to ‘play a more active role in supporting marginalised communities.’

Student protest drives far-right commentator off Bristol campus

A physical altercation broke out as police vans blocked off Woodland Road.

EpigramLenny Osler

In a statement provided to Epigram regarding Toms’ appearance on October 5, a University of Bristol spokesperson said:

‘We affirm the vital importance of the right of all to speak openly without fear of censorship or limitation, provided that this right is exercised responsibly, within the law, and with respect for others who may have differing views.

‘In this instance the police were called after an incident occurred during a demonstration. The University takes this very seriously and if any students are found to have been involved, we will take appropriate action.’

Responding to the same event, a Bristol SU spokesperson said:

‘The views and activities present at today's demonstration do not represent Bristol SU, our values or commitment to diversity and inclusion.

‘If anyone has been impacted by events outside of Senate House today, we encourage them to reach out to support available.’

Featured image: The Concrete Chronicle / Ryan Cox