30,000 petition against Nathan Cofnas talk at Oxford

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 16:32 · Archive

Nearly 30,000 people have signed a petition opposing a talk by Nathan Cofnas scheduled at Oriel College, Oxford on 17 November, organised by the Oxon Universities' Reform Society. His appearance has drawn strong opposition from students, academics and anti-racism groups, who have condemned his views on race and intelligence.

The open letter opposing the event is backed by the Oxford Students' Coalition Against Racism, Black Lives Matter, EveryDay Racism and Stand Up to Racism, as well as MPs including Diane Abbott, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Dawn Butler, Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana, alongside trade union leaders, academics and campaigners. Forty-nine fellows and members of Oriel College's Senior Common Room have also signed a statement in a personal capacity, expressing concern about the impact of the event.

In July, Cofnas publicly accused the late Cambridge Professor Jason Arday of plagiarism in his doctoral thesis and questioned aspects of his biography. If the event proceeds, a protest is planned for Oriel Square at 5pm on the day of the event, organised by Oxford Stand Up to Racism.

How it is being reported

• 30,000 sign petition after Ku Klux Klan stunt at Oriel CollegeA controversial university talk has sparked national backlash and drawn nearly 30,000 signatures to an open letter after a KKK stunt.Oxford Mail · 13 Nov, 16:00
• 30,000 sign petition after Ku Klux Klan stunt at Oriel CollegeA controversial university talk has sparked national backlash and drawn nearly 30,000 signatures to an open letter after a KKK stunt.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Nathan Cofnas · Oriel College · Oxford · Diane Abbott · Jeremy Corbyn · Jason Arday

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