Students protest campus ban

Students rallied today against a decision to ban a student activist from entering Sydney University.

Tom Raue, Vice President of the University of Sydney Union, was issued a one month ban from the campus as a result of his involvement in a protest against Julie Bishop earlier this month.

A crowd of 75 gathered outside the Vice Chancellor’s office, chanting, “Touch one, touch all, defend Tom Raue!”

Raue told Red Flag: “Activists should not be banned from campus simply for opposing the Abbott government’s attacks on education. As a result of this ban I will be unable to fulfil my duties as the Vice President of the union, and more importantly will be unable to complete the student advocacy work on campus which this role requires.

“This is a political attack by the University, which is doing the dirty work of the Abbott government by attempting to crush dissent against the budget.”

Ridah Hassan, Education Officer in the Sydney Uni Students Representative Council and one of the Socialist Alternative members involved in the Q&A protest 2 weeks ago, addressed the rally:

“The Liberals want to turn universities into businesses where education is for sale, students are the consumers and customer feedback is not welcome. We reject this model, and the universities’ attempt to sanitise our campuses. We refuse to be intimidated by management as we fight these attacks on our education.”

Most people support the students, according to a range of opinion polls carried out over the last week. Student activists have also received widespread support, both online and in person.

We will continue to reject insipid arguments against action by the likes of Fairfax opinion writer Annabel Crabb and former Liberal minister Amanda Vanstone. Across the country we are continuing to take to the streets, and we will disrupt the Liberals wherever they go.

[Eleanor Morley is an activist in the Sydney Uni Education Action Group.]