ORGANISERS say 100 protesters marched around Oxford this afternoon calling out individual university colleges over 'unethical' investment.
Earlier this month the student newspaper Cherwell reported that millions of pounds from university colleges was being invested in fossil fuels, arms, and tobacco companies.
The 'silent and solemn' march, organised by coalition of student groups, focussed on the three 'worst offending' colleges, Pembroke, Exeter and New, and posted 'Time is Up' notices on the gates.
Demonstrators then moved to the University's Clarendon Building, where vice-chancellor Louise Richardson’s office is, for rallies and speeches.
Oxford Climate Justice Campaign spokeswoman Rachel Qiu said: “Climate change – and the natural disasters and critical impoverishment it causes – has created business opportunities for many unethical industries. These industries’ activities disproportionately impact the formerly colonised, the global working class, and communities of colour who are considered sacrificeable for profit.
"Time is up for Oxford’s institutional support for these industries. We can, and must, do better.”
Julia Peck, another leader of the march, added: "We are thrilled that 100 people — students together with Oxford residents — banded together today to declare that time is up on unethical, destructive investing in fossil fuels and arms. We stopped at Pembroke, Exeter, and New college, and asked, ‘what does it mean to invest?’
"We answered that investing means tying one’s future to the success of an effort. It is high time that Oxford colleges refuse to profit from climate breakdown and global warfare. Instead, they must use their power to bring about a more just world and the transition to renewables we urgently need."
Organisers demanded that Oxford University 'honour its ethical responsibilities’ and immediately withdraw from investments in arms and to fully divest from fossil fuels over a period of two years.
Oxford University spokeswoman Lanisha Butterfield said: "In May 2015, responding to a Student Union request and following a wide-ranging consultation, Oxford University’s Council made a statement on fossil fuel investment which restricted investment in coal and tar sands.
"This statement remains the University’s position and all investment decisions are made in accordance with it. The Oxford Endowment Fund has low exposure to the energy sector and has actively sought to invest in groups targeting resource efficient companies."
The march also coincided with nationwide activism against climate change today, which saw traffic blockaded in London.
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