Durham University students hold die-in to protest lecture

A group of university students were filmed storming in a lecture theatre and lying on the floor in a bizarre attempt to shut down a discussion on the future of oil and gas.

The 12 environmental protection activists can be heard chanting ‘the enemy is profit’ and ‘who’s future? Our future,’ as they lie on the floor at Durham University.

The lecture, titled ‘The Role of Oil and Gas Tomorrow’ had to be stopped last Wednesday as the student protest continued.

The students, who are part of a group called Durham People and Planet, also held signs that read things like: ‘The oil industry were warned about global warming in 1959’.

Video of the so-called ‘die-in’ was posted on social media.

‘As an organisation we don’t think it’s acceptable for the University to promote activities that are destructive, unsustainable and not in keeping with the vast majority of global research suggesting the continuation of burning fossil fuels will be catastrophic,’ the activist group said, according to Palatinate.

The University’s bosses are calling the group’s protest an attack against free speech.

The lecture, titled ‘The Role of Oil and Gas Tomorrow’ had to be stopped last Wednesday

University bosses are calling the protest an attempt to shut down free speech

Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, told The Sun: ‘Durham University is committed to freedom of expression within the law and encourages free expression and debate amongst our staff, students and visitors. 

‘This reflects our core values as a university.

‘We recognise the right to protest. However, action that prevents the free exchange of ideas is unacceptable.

‘We will be investigating the circumstances that led to the Durham Energy Institute debate being closed early, with urgency.’