Indymedia York

A group of students at the University of York including those from the People & Planet, Amnesty International and FreeSoc societies organised a day of action against the University’s investment in the arms trade. The day also publicised the ControlArms campaign. Almost 1000 signatures from students and alumni were collected in just one day to support the adoption of an ethical investment policy for the University’s finances.

In 2005, after investigations aided by the Freedom of Information Act, it was revealed by CAAT (Campaign Against the Arms Trade) that a number of UK educational institutions had shareholdings in arms exporters. The University of York has 147,100 direct shares in BAE Systems (figures from the University of York) and 1,354,663 indirect shares (CAAT), as well as 1,350,000 indirect shares in GKN representing over £10 million pounds of investment through its pension fund. A motion was passed in the Student Union and the issue has been reported in both student papers, "Nouse" and "York Vision".

In March 2006 a group of societies was formed to put pressure on the university to change. An ethical investment proposal will be presented to the University administration this week. With the support of the SU President and so many students we are confident that the campaign will be successful.

Ric Lander, Chair of York’s People & Planet Society said: ”Universities, companies, and even local councils are starting to wake up to the reality that money from their investments has a huge influence on the outside world. The arms trade is a perfect example of how profits are often put before corporate responsibility. Our University shouldn’t be supporting firms that have no respect for fundamental human rights.”

The day culminated in a “die-in” protest where students symbolically “died” on a central walkway – one every minute – representing the one person who dies every minute from arms around the world. Whilst campus was brought to a standstill, word of the action spread quickly. The progress of meetings with the administration will be closely watched.

Photos © David Martin