DUSA president defends students' right to protest
Dundee University's student president has defended the rights of his association's members to protest after an environmental demonstrator complained about her treatment by campus staff.
One of the protesters 'cleaning up' the RBS branch at the university.
- By James Williamson
- Published in the Courier : 09.09.10
- Published online : 09.09.10 @ 12.18pm
Serial protester Kimberley Ellis (23), a fourth-year renewable energy student, donned a boiler suit and took up a feather duster to "clean up" the university's branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
She claims the largely taxpayer-owned bank has a questionable environmental and human rights record overseas and called for more investment in renewable energy.
Ms Ellis also alleged that staff disrupted the protest at the request of RBS staff, chasing away protesters and removing a banner.
Dundee University Students' Assocation president Craig Kelly said, "Staff tried to come down hard on the protest and as a student executive we reminded them of the student's rights to protest. University has got to be a place where you can engage with freedom of speech and debate."
A Dundee University spokesman said, "There was a small-scale protest involving two individuals, one of whom was asked to leave because he was not a student.
"The right to protest of the other protestor, who is a student, was respected and she left peacefully after making her point."
RBS insisted it was one of the "most active" banks in the world when it comes to investing in renewables.
A spokesman said, "As a major international bank we provide support for businesses working across many industries and reflect the make-up of society and the economy.
"Just as society as a whole has to make a transition to renewable energy sources, so will banks like RBS.
"Therefore, whilst we fully respect the right for anyone to express their point of view in a peaceful way, and we understand the protester's intent, we clearly cannot agree with their decision to target RBS."
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