PALATINATE | Thursday 28th October 2021
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News
Anti-abortion campaign displays graphic imagery to have permission to protest at the spot from local authorities and that they had informed the police beforehand. The all-male protesters were equipped with graphic images Since the start of the academic of what they claimed to be parts year, Durham has seen a of the abortion process. resurgence in anti-abortion Freshers representatives and protestors, who frequently welfare students from use billboards with graphic Grey College, whose images. This comes in the students were context of a national Freps using the route debate over antiattempted to the campaigners abortion groups within cover the images were on at the universities. with a banner time to get to the A group of activists Fair, attempted to from a national cover the images campaign were first with a banner, and set present during Freshers’ up a perimeter warning Week, on Tuesday 28th and passers-by about the graphic Wednesday 29th September, the content up ahead. dates of this year’s Freshers Fair. In response to this, the The group, who states their campaigners called the police, aim is to “challenge views who prevented the freps from of abortion”, gathered at the covering the images. Palatine Centre roundabout. On a separate occasion on As the Freshers’ Fair was being 16th October, campaigners held at Maiden Castle, the route representing the same national of many hill college students group positioned themselves on took them past the campaigners. Framwellgate Bridge. Content The protesters were equipped warnings were in place at either with graphic images of what end of the bridge. they claimed to be parts of the This is not the first time that abortion process. They claimed
Theo Burman and Lilith Foster-Collins News Editors
an anti-abortion group has caused controversy in Durham. In 2019 the Durham Students for Life group organised an event entitled “How to Be a Voice for the Voiceless and Defend PreBorn Babies”, which was held at St. Cuthbert’s Church. The event was protested by the Durham Students for Abortion Access and Durham Intersectional Feminist Society groups. Several universities across the UK have seen an increase in pro-life activism this term. At the Oxford University Freshers Fair, the Oxford Students for Life stall was dismantled by protestors, and the society was heavily criticised by the Oxford Feminist Society, who argued they should not have a place at the SU-run fair. Exeter University also drew criticism for the guild approval of Exeter Students For Life, with a petition claiming that society promotes a “dangerous ideology” and will “exacerbate the pre-existing stigmas around abortion” gaining more than 8,000 signatures. Durham Police were contacted for comment.
From Paris with love Sophie Farmer Studying in France has opened my eyes to an unparalleled range of cultural experiences and opportunities that I could only have dreamt of in Durham. Studying English Studies in France, however, leaves me with rather fewer opportunities to practise French. On the surface, I find that the city of Paris takes dutiful pride in maintaining its appearance and upkeep, as opposed to London as more of a ‘working city’. But what can be found underground on the metro is a sub-culture of its own. Travelling each day through Gare du Nord to Porte de Clignancourt frankly makes the Tube look like luxury. Barrier hopping and people throwing their bodies threw the closing train doors is a common sight. On another note, witnessing the police heavily armed on the streets of Paris will never not intimidate me. A friend of mine once said the barrels of the guns are not loaded and are put in place to protect the civilians, though when the authorities have large firearms pointing in your direction as they walk by, I can’t help but feel uncomfortable.
Seeing as the authorities are also predominately young men, catcalling and flirting with women on the streets is unfortunately a regular occurrence, particularly among the sapeurs-pompiers (firefighters). And let’s not forget the most important topic: drinking culture. While Parisian bars and terrace cafés are by no means in short
supply, finding a cheap pint and students that ‘see off their drinks’ is a rarity. To savour one’s drink (singular) is typically à la française. But with the Swan, Klute and Jimmy’s at our disposal, can we really be blamed? The French was for seeing off a drink is apparently ‘boire/faire cul sec’. So, do with this phrase what you will at your next soirée!
(Lou Cook-Allen)
From the Archives
The Students’ Union faces a remarkably familiar political crisis Palatinate 409, 12th February, 1987
