Members of the Oxford Union voted on Saturday in a no confidence motion against incoming president George Abaraonye. The poll stems from controversial online comments he made appearing to celebrate the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
The vote took place in person, with members also able to vote by proxy until a 10pm deadline on Friday. Abaraonye himself submitted the motion of no confidence in an unusual move.
Abaraonye's defence
Abaraonye said he submitted the motion to reclaim "true accountability and (reaffirm) that the Oxford Union must remain a place where students can make mistakes, apologise sincerely, and learn from them". In a Saturday Instagram post, he told union members: "Today is your opportunity to affirm Free Speech, to stand against the racism of the Far Right, and to stand up for the principles the Union has championed for 200 years."
He added: "Two centuries later, the same people who claim to believe in the Union are now acting in stark opposition to the Union's founding principles, by supporting a campaign of harassment, censorship, and abuse. We will not be silenced."
Background to the controversy
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University event in September in what authorities called a political assassination. The 31-year-old father-of-two was a Donald Trump ally and co-founder and chief executive of the right-wing youth organisation Turning Point USA.
According to The Times, Abaraonye wrote "Charlie Kirk got shot, let's f****** go" in a WhatsApp message to fellow students. Another message on his Instagram account read: "Charlie Kirk got shot loool".
Oxford Union's response
The Oxford Union condemned Abaraonye's remarks in a statement last month. Complaints filed against the president-elect have been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.
Abaraonye became president-elect of the historic debating society after a vote earlier this year. In an Instagram post, he revealed he has been facing violent threats as well as classist and racist harassment.
Harassment and threats
Abaraonye said: "Some members have raised genuine concerns and done so respectfully. I am deeply grateful to those who reached out, met with me, and engaged in honest reflection." However, he added: "But their reasoned voices have been drowned out by bad-faith actors who have twisted my words, clipped my speeches, and fabricated intent to fit a pre-written narrative."
The Oxford Union condemned the racial abuse and threats Abaraonye has faced in its September statement.
Sources used: "The Times" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
