Petition Opposing the Criminalisation of Peaceful Protest on Campus by Lancaster University

We the undersigned are concerned that Lancaster University has brought criminal charges against six students and members of the local community for taking part in a peaceful protest against arms dealers, genetic modification and oil corporations on campus in September 2004.

We understand that Lancaster University has taken the view that the protesters were trespassers on campus in order that they may be prosecuted for the criminal offence of Aggravated Trespass. We strongly urge Lancaster University to stop treating the protest as an act of trespass and so to end the prosecution of its own students for peacefully protesting.

We furthermore request Lancaster Univerity to implement a proper and fair Freedom of Speech policy that does not allow prosecution of peaceful protesters.