On Friday 16 November, the Oxford Union debating society at the University of Oxford hosted former Trump strategist Steve Bannon.
Just days later, someone painted a swastika on a community centre in Oxford. While there is no evidence linking the two events, it has led people to accuse the union of “normalising fascism”.
Opposition
The event was only announced days before it was due to take place:
https://twitter.com/ChabanyDouarre/status/1062669717842939909
https://twitter.com/MissEllieMae/status/1062665642829078528
Despite the short notice, the announcement was followed by a great deal of opposition online due to Bannon’s openly racist rhetoric:
Steve Bannon is a white nationalist who told the French National Front to "let them call you racist…wear it as a badge of honour." He is whipping up hate & division. This might be a game to those running the Oxford Union, but this invite only serves to further Bannon's cause. https://t.co/OVT8R1OxxV
— HOPE not hate (@hopenothate) November 14, 2018
Oxford Union’s response, however, was to quote Bannon comparing Black Lives Matter and anti-fascist protesters to the KKK:
The official (and verified) Oxford Union Twitter account is uncritically quoting Steve Bannon as he equates "Nazis and the KKK" with "Antifa(scists) and #BLM" (Black Lives Matter); essentially saying the latter pair should not be opposing fascism in its various forms. pic.twitter.com/XAiiRJfmPR
— Elon's Husk (@TheSolClarke) November 19, 2018
Even the university’s own student union objected to the event:
We are concerned that the Oxford Union has decided to give a platform to Steven Bannon and his views. His hateful ideology has no place in Oxford and as an SU we actively condemn hate speech.
— Oxford SU (@OxfordStudents) November 14, 2018
Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds also released a statement condemning the decision to host Bannon:
#NoBannon Strong and insightful statement from Oxford East MP @AnnelieseDodds, supporting the protest against Bannon in Oxford. pic.twitter.com/Lh46Ghhpmx
— Anne Lyons (@AnneLyons7) November 16, 2018
Protests
Of course, students and activists in Oxford were not going let the event take place unhindered, and protests caused considerable disruption on the day:
"Stop inviting fascists, you dickheads"
Unbelievable numbers of people blocking Steve Bannon at the Oxford Union right this second, after cancelling their visit from the AfD leader only 2 weeks ago due to the widespread complaints
When will they learn? pic.twitter.com/CP0jHnFuqB— 🌼 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚜 🌼 (@boris_andrews) November 16, 2018
Some people questioned whether the opportunity to ‘challenge’ Bannon is worth giving him a platform. This gem at the protests makes it clear why opposition is needed:
https://twitter.com/taitoush/status/1063462839715864578
Racist graffiti
But it doesn’t end there. Just days after Bannon spoke, someone painted a swastika on a community centre in Oxford:
https://twitter.com/natalieisonline/status/1064550351817359360
While there is no evidence of a direct link between the graffiti and Bannon’s speech, many people felt the union should take responsibility for the incident:
SWASTIKAS ON OUR STREETS: this is the result of @OxfordUnion inviting Bannon to Oxford. RT if you agree: Oxford Union President @sjhorvath, who forced the Bannon visit through, should go out today and personally paint over it! https://t.co/wwodBFsyL9
— Dr Louise Raw (@LouiseRawAuthor) November 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/erikwdavis/status/1064542567067512834
.@OxfordUnion https://t.co/p98HMzZ1uq this is the sort of thing you're helping to normalise. Absolutely disgusted.
— Michael Finley 🇺🇦 (@MikeFinleyMusic) November 19, 2018
Oxford Union is unrepentant over hosting Bannon. It has uploaded a video of Bannon’s full talk on YouTube, and continues to call itself “The last bastion of free speech”.
The privileged few who get to go to Oxford, and join an exclusive club like the Oxford Union, have the luxury of hearing out fascist views. Because, after all, their privilege often protects them from the very real consequences of Bannon’s ideology.
Featured image via Wikimedia – Gage Skidmore
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