Rival Students Clash As Holocaust Denier Turns Up For Oxford Debate

Students attacked and jeered other students in chaotic scenes at the University of Oxford tonight as David Irving, the controversial writer, and Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, appeared for a freedom of speech event.

Undergraduates with tickets to the debate endured chants of “Nazi scum” and “shame on you” from hundreds of protesters from Oxford colleges and Unite Against Fascism campaigners who crammed into a narrow street in central Oxford. Some protesters brandished placards and hit students trying to enter the debating chamber.

As ticketholders fought their way through the gates, 12 protesters broke into the chamber and one tried to attack a member of the debating society’s staff. Up to 15 policemen fought to bring them under control while nervous students waited in the bar for the debate to begin. By 8.30pm – when the debate was supposed to start – just 250 of the audience had been allowed into the building, half of the expected turnout.

Earlier this evening, a large crowd amassed outside the society’s grounds, shouting antifascist slogans, banging drums and waving flags and banners. On the periphery of the crowd, just two policemen were visible.

Luke Tryl, president of the Oxford Union debating society, came under immense pressure to cancel the event but insisted that Mr Irving, who was jailed for Holocaust denial, and Mr Griffin, who has been convicted of race offences, be allowed to have their say. He was seen chain-smoking while the protest raged outside.

---EOE---

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article2951490.ece

He was seen chain-smoking while the protest raged outside.

No doubt.




Very good to see.

It's the opposite, actually.

Must be 2 braincell folk.