The University of Exeter have declined to confirm if there will be any additional security on campus this Saturday 16 November, when the English Defence League (EDL) hold their national demonstration in Exeter. The University have, however, emailed all students to tell them that the march is taking place.
When contacted by Exeposé regarding security on campus this weekend, the University did not confirm if there would be any additional staff on campus, or if protestors would be allowed into any buildings on campus. The University has been directly cited by the EDL as a primary reason for their national demonstration being held in Exeter.
In an article on their website titled “Why we are going to Exeter”, the EDL cite the University’s longstanding interest in the study of Islamophobia as a key reason for Exeter being chosen as the location for the march. In addition, the far-right group mention the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies and the funding it offers for PhDs in Islamic Studies, as well as the Forum, which was in part funded by a £5 million donation from Muhammed al-Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah, an emirate which the EDL calls: “one of the most conservative[…]in the United Arab Emirates”.
The University responded to these accusations, saying: “The Arab and Islamic world is a subject of academic study at the University in the same way as Physics, History, French or English”.
“It doesn’t follow that just because we have an academic specialism that the University is sympathetic to any particular cause.
“Yes, we have accepted donations from people and institutions in the Middle East for the pursuance of research or teaching, as we have from the UK, the US and Europe. All large donations are ethically checked before they are received.
“Saudi Arabia is the UK’s biggest trading partner in the Middle East and designated a ‘High Growth Market’ by UKTI, as is the Emirates, of which Sharjah is a part.
“We are not expecting the march to come near the University”.
Hannah Barton, Guild President, also added: “The University of Exeter provides a wealth of exciting opportunities to study various cultures, societies and religions – and the study of the Middle East is no exception.
“There is great value in studying all cultures and the Students’ Guild is proud that our University offers such a diverse programme of courses. We continue to celebrate diversity amongst our students and the community.
“The city of Exeter, the University and the Students’ Guild enjoy a unique community feel and this is in part due to our multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-faith population”.
The EDL have announced that they are marching through Exeter on the afternoon of Saturday 16 November. There will also be a number of protests against the EDL’s presence in the city, as the Exeter Together group are leading a protest which starts in Belmont Park at 10.30am, culminating with a rally at Bedford Square at 12pm. Several groups, including the English Disco Lovers, and United Against Fascism (UAF) are also expected to contribute to this counter-march.
The EDL march route has not yet been confirmed, as part of a police strategy to avoid flashpoints between marches.
This is not the first time that the EDL have protested in Exeter. In June of this year, the Exeter division of the EDL organised a vigil in memory of Drummer Lee Rigby, who was brutally murdered in May. However, no-one attended the vigil. A previous EDL march in Exeter, organised as part of a campaign to “Ban the Burqa”, was also sparsely attended; only 15 people eventually turned up, in contrast to approximately 300 people who attended a celebration of diversity in the city centre on the same day.
Turnout for the national demonstration is expected to be significantly higher than previous EDL events in Exeter; at the time of going to press, the Facebook event for the demonstration has over 300 people “attending”.
Clara Plackett, a third year English student, told Exeposé: “Because of the relatively large numbers potentially involved in both the demonstration and the march opposing it, I would like to know what measures the University will put in place to ensure student safety in the event of any disturbances. As it is, I’ll be working at home on the 16th, and not on campus”.
Hannah Barton, Guild President, stated: “We are working closely with the University and Police to ensure that the safety of students remains a constant consideration throughout planning for the day. The Guild is confident that they will work to ensure the safety of all students in the City centre and on campus, however we would encourage all students to consider the impact that the march may have on their plans for the weekend”.
Owen Keating, News Editor
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