Film & TV

Anti-abortion campaign displays graphic imagery

Theo Burman and Lilith Foster-Collins

News Editors

Since the start of the academic year, Durham has seen a resurgence in anti-abortion protestors, who frequently use billboards with graphic images. This comes in the context of a national debate over antiabortion groups within universities.

A group of activists from a national campaign were first present during Freshers’ Week, on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th September, the dates of this year’s Freshers Fair.

The group, who states their aim is to “challenge views of abortion”, gathered at the Palatine Centre roundabout. As the Freshers’ Fair was being held at Maiden Castle, the route of many hill college students took them past the campaigners.

The protesters were equipped with graphic images of what they claimed to be parts of the abortion process. They claimed 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 of what they claimed to be parts of the abortion process.

Freshers representatives and welfare students from Grey College, whose students were using the route the campaigners were on at the time to get to the Fair, attempted to cover the images with a banner, and set up a perimeter warning passers-by about the graphic content up ahead.

In response to this, the campaigners called the police, who prevented the freps from covering the images.

On a separate occasion on 16th October, campaigners representing the same national group positioned themselves on Framwellgate Bridge. Content warnings were in place at either end of the bridge.

This is not the first time that

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 Freps Feminist Society groups. attempted to cover the images Several universities across the UK have seen an increase in pro-life activism this term. At the with a banner 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!

News

(Lou Cook-Allen)

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