North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom has partially lifted its controversial suspension of Shaun Christie, a final-year law student, for disrupting a LGBTQIA+ presentation to first year students at a university orientation event last Tuesday.
NWU’s back-pedalling on its initial harsh response to Christie’s protest, which sparked a mass student walkout from the event, followed substantial social media support for his stand, numerous protest emails to the university, an ACDP petition calling for his reinstatement and threats of legal action by Afriforum Youth.
In an announcement on its website NWU said that following an appeal against his suspension on Friday, Christie has been “allowed to participate in academic matters only”, but he has to report to campus protection services whenever he arrives at the Potchefstroom campus.
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The ACDP said in a statement it welcomed the university’s decision to allow Christie to attend classes. It also said it endorsed Christie’s “bold stand against the mandatory enforcement of gender ideology in the induction of first-year students”.
“The constitutional freedoms of our democracy must be upheld at all times, and universities should encourage healthy debate and allow freedom of expression rather than suppress it. The South African democratic dispensation, which we live in today, was realised by those courageous enough to stand on their convictions,” added the ACDP.
Philip Rosenthal of ChristianView Network said they received an email from Louis Jacobs Communications officer for NWU stating: “We will not tolerate the abuse of the human rights of any grouping at our institution. We pride ourselves in promoting a culture of diversity and inclusivity. The matter is currently being handled in terms of our student disciplinary processes, and we will not further comment on this in the media, until the investigation and following disciplinary process has been finalised. I think it is only fair to allow for these processes to be concluded.”
Rosenthal said: “We argue that Shaun Christie did not abuse anybody’s rights, but that he was defending the human rights of the first year students, being abused by being forced to attend an indoctrination session on LGBT, and which was not relevant to their academics and which they did not wish to attend – as demonstrated by most of them walking out after Shaun Christie spoke.
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“Shaun Christie did not disrupt anyone’s free speech in a voluntary attendance forum, nor anything relevant to the academics of the university, nor has he expressed any hatred of LGBT people — and the university has not given similar equal opportunity for Christians to present their views on marriage and sexuality.”
In a statement released today new Christian political party #Hope4SA says it “stands in solidarity” with Christie for “bravely defending his right to freedom of speech”.
“Our party firmly believes that every individual, especially students, should be free to express their opinions without fear of reprisal or censorship. We stand not only with Shaun but also with
all the students who are standing for their faith and the right to express themselves,” says the statement.
In a comment beneath a post on his Facebook page Christie says:
“TO BE CLEAR
We are not against any organization, culture group or the LGBTQ+ community.
We are standing for freedom! The freedom to choose what we believe and we will listen to.
We will not tolerate any agenda’s to be forced upon us against our will.
This is not a stance against anyone but a stance for freedom.”
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