Ulster Unionist Councillor Alexander Redpath has condemned as “intolerant” a motion due to be debated by the Queen’s University Students' Council on Wednesday which, if passed, would end the sale of Poppies in the Students Union.
Councillor Redpath, who is a former representative of the Queen's Students' Council, said:
“The Poppy is an internationally recognised symbol which commemorates the hundreds of thousands of people who gave their lives in defence of freedom. The Poppy Appeal also raises funds to help the injured and to assist members of the armed forces return to civilian life. Naturally this includes former Queen's students.
“The very fact that Queen’s Students’ Union is able to debate such a crass and intolerant motion such as this is because of that sacrifice, but this point would no doubt be lost on the closed minds behind this motion, which is quite simply intolerant, divisive and brings shame on those who propose it. It is the motion, not the Poppy, which is politically charged and divisive, in that it seeks to deny the right of those who choose to wear the Poppy as a mark of Remembrance.
“The Poppy is not a political symbol; it is worn by millions throughout the world to remember those of all classes and creeds who fought against the type of intolerance and bigotry that is displayed in this motion.
“I would urge all Queen’s students who value freedom of speech to make their voices heard and ensure that this offensive and ill-advised motion is defeated.”