PETA claim Union is "nannying" students

Following a recent exhibition in the Student’s Union, Animal Rights group PETA have alleged censorship by the Executive over posters (left) used as part of their ‘Animal Liberation Project’ display. The posters in question were placed at the entrance of the Union to attract the attention of students walking by and encourage interest in the exhibition in a Club Room on the third floor.

Alistair Currie, Senior Research and Campaigns Co-ordinator with PETA said, "While we're genuinely grateful for the opportunity to show the exhibition in the first place, the restrictions placed on us really were excessive". Queen’s is the first UK University to host the exhibition which has already been displayed in 18 Universities across America and features images of both animal and human slavery raising questions over possible similarities between the two. Mr Currie continued, "Surely universities are places for debate and freedom of expression. We know this project is controversial but do Queen's students really need to be nannied?"

The Executive claims, "The Students’ Union Executive Management Committee made every effort to accommodate PETA’s Animal Liberation Display" but decided that "due to the somewhat distressing nature of some of the images it would be best if PETA held the display in a Club Room, so as not to force students to view images (in the foyer) that they may find distressing."

Peta have subsequently questioned the "real inconsistency" of prohibiting their posters while a poster sale on the same day displayed an image of a partially naked woman (above right) at the Union entrance in full view of passing students. Mr Currie asked "Does anyone really think that no one will be offended by the woman - or that the mere sight of a battery shed would offend people?" The Union Executive have stated that they have received no complaints about the poster sale images to date "and will deal with complaints as they arise."

What is your view? Was the Union right to ban the posters from the foyer? Is this, as PETA have claimed "nannying" of adult students? Is the poster of the female offensive/as offensive/not offensive at all? Have your say!