Changes

In 2007, it was announced that the Union had invited controversial speakers [[Nick Griffin]], leader of the far-right British National Party, and [[David Irving]], a historian known for his polemical views about the [[Holocaust]], to speak in a forum on [[freedom of speech]]. This attracted considerable controversy, with the president of the Oxford University Student Union<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7112480.stm Union debate row speakers arrive], BBC News, 26 November 2007</ref> and various [[left-wing]] student organisations, such as Unite Against Fascism,<ref>[http://www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=71105 Unite Against Fascism website]</ref> condemning the invitation. Within the Union, a poll of Union members was conducted on the issue, with members voting overwhelmingly in favour of the invitations.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7110758.stm BNP to speak to Oxford students], BBC News, 24 November 2007</ref> On the day of the debate (26 November 2007), protestors travelled from all over the country to participate in riots against the guest speakers; the demonstrators at one point breached the security cordon and broke into the main debating chamber.<ref>[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/farright/story/0,,2217589,00.html Irving and Griffin spark fury at Oxford Union debate], ''The Guardian'', 27 November 2007</ref><ref>[http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3198867.ece The uprising against facism: Students storm Oxford Union debate], ''The Independent'', 27 November 2007</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7114343.stm   

In 2007, it was announced that the Union had invited controversial speakers [[Nick Griffin]], leader of the far-right British National Party, and [[David Irving]], a historian known for his polemical views about the [[Holocaust]], to speak in a forum on [[freedom of speech]]. This attracted considerable controversy, with the president of the Oxford University Student Union<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7112480.stm Union debate row speakers arrive], BBC News, 26 November 2007</ref> and various [[left-wing]] student organisations, such as Unite Against Fascism,<ref>[http://www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=71105 Unite Against Fascism website]</ref> condemning the invitation. Within the Union, a poll of Union members was conducted on the issue, with members voting overwhelmingly in favour of the invitations.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7110758.stm BNP to speak to Oxford students], BBC News, 24 November 2007</ref> On the day of the debate (26 November 2007), protestors travelled from all over the country to participate in riots against the guest speakers; the demonstrators at one point breached the security cordon and broke into the main debating chamber.<ref>[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/farright/story/0,,2217589,00.html Irving and Griffin spark fury at Oxford Union debate], ''The Guardian'', 27 November 2007</ref><ref>[http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3198867.ece The uprising against facism: Students storm Oxford Union debate], ''The Independent'', 27 November 2007</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7114343.stm   

Angry scenes greet Oxford debate], BBC News, 27 November 2007</ref>

Angry scenes greet Oxford debate], BBC News, 27 November 2007</ref>

[[Category:University of Oxford]]

[[Category:University of Oxford]]