Andy Drozdziak
A pro-life student group has accused the University of Manchester of failing to protect its students and staff after the university instructed a new pro-life society to cancel future in-person events.
Hundreds of pro-choice supporters shouted intimidating language and spat on members of the Manchester Pro Life Society after its first meeting on 29th February. Chants of “stay in there and die”, “you should be aborted” and “f*** you” were heard during the protest, whilst members were threatened with rape and violence and eggs were thrown at the window.
Following the scenes, which were widely shared on videos on social media, the Universe can reveal that the University of Manchester has now instructed the pro-life society to cancel future in-person events indefinitely because it cannot guarantee safety.
Madeline Page, the Director of the Alliance of Pro-Life Students, condemned the University’s actions.
“While the University acknowledges there was serious disruption and intimidation during the protest, it fails to indicate the steps that are being taken as a result of this,” she told the Universe.
“The University failed to protect its own students and staff on campus. It has told the pro-life society to cancel all in-person events for the foreseeable future because it cannot guarantee safety.
“This is not supportive of free speech and seems instead to be punishing the pro-life group who have actively engaged and cooperated with all of the SU and University policies and procedures.”
Manchester Student Union confirmed the new society’s right to exist, stating that that it was ‘officially’ acknowledged as a society on 11th January 2024 in accordance with its ‘society registration processes.’ The Student Union also issued a reminder that, according to the 2023 Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, student unions are obliged to promote freedom of speech. The row erupted after a petition was signed by 16,000 people in protest against the male-led society.
Protestors from the Stop Manchester Pro Life movement, who organised the protest, called the protest ‘safe and passionate yet still peaceful’ in an Instagram post after the protest. The movement did not respond to the Universe’s request for comment. However, the University of Manchester told the Universe that the protests amounted to ‘serious disruption and intimidation.’
The University said: “While we respect the right of students to peaceful protest, there were instances of serious disruption and intimidation at this event. This affected staff and students going about their normal business, and police and campus security involvement was required.
“As well as the right to peaceful protest, we also have a legal obligation to support free speech within the law.”
Madeline Page described the University’s response as ‘unacceptable’. She said: “As the University has rightly stated, it has a legal obligation to proactively support free speech.
“This is unacceptable and far from enabling civil debate, discussion and challenge – a key pillar of our higher education institutions.”
Executive Director of SPUC, Michael Robinson, has backed the call for appropriate action to be taken against the protestors. Mr Robinson told the Universe: “The increase in attacks on pro-life students, stalls and other anti-abortion initiatives on campuses in recent years is shocking.
“Students of all opinions must be protected. SPUC expects the University of Manchester to hold those to account for such unacceptable behaviour.”
Following the meeting, the new society reaffirmed its commitment ‘to continue to boldly stand up for life and free speech on campus.’
Picture from the protest. The Universe has chosen to black out expletives in the image.