Campus Security
Petition Statement
We the undersigned, allies and members of university communities,
We have watched in terror as university campuses have been invaded by police forces. We have watched peaceful protests torn apart, whilst we, our faculty, students and friends have been physically and psychologically abused. We have watched in trepidation as these acts have been repeated in the streets of our cities.
We have watched as the private property rights of institutions have been heightened over the fundamental freedoms of speech that should be afforded to all citizens. We have watched our rights be treated as a mere irritant. When we have complained we have been told that this is “business as usual” and how security forces should, will and always have acted.
We say back no. We are not a threat to society. We are an integral part of society. We provide a multitude of voices that contribute to national debates, driving our communities to challenge embedded injustices. Universities are an especially integral part of this process of self-examination, and political discourse.
We say back that we have a right and a duty to express our political opinions on our campuses, in our homes and on our streets. We will not be cowed by a cowardly attempt to stifle discourse and live in homogeneity.
We will not go away. We will not be quieted.