Pacifists have welcomed a vote by Cambridge University Students' Union against allowing military recruitment at freshers' fairs. 

The Peace Pledge Union (PPU) predicted that students at other universities will follow Cambridge's example. 

Student members of the Peace Pledge Union are campaigning against militarism in several universities, challenging the presence of both armed forces and arms companies at careers events and freshers’ fairs.

Several of these campaigns are in alliance with other peace and human rights groups. 

Symon Hill, Campaigns Manager of the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), said:

“Three cheers for the Cambridge students! We know all too well that the people who proposed this motion will now receive hate mail, death threats and streams of abuse on social media or in person. We’re glad they’ve stood up to the militarist lobby.

“Many young people know what the establishment will not admit: that armed forces don’t protect us, they only make the world less safe. Militarists recruit well-intentioned young people to an organisation rooted in violence and obedience to the powerful. As we speak, UK armed forces are being used to train the Saudi forces that are viciously and systematically killing civilians in Yemen.

“By targeting Cambridge students, organisations such as the University Officer Training Corps promote a pro-military mindset among young people who may go on to be decision-makers in business or politics."

In 2018, it was misleadingly reported that Cambridge students had voted against marking Remembrance Sunday. In fact, they had only voted down a proposal promoting a particularly nationalistic interpretation of Remembrance Sunday. 

You can read more here about the PPU's perspective on military spending and recruitment. 

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Are you a student or university staff member concerned about militarism on campus? Please drop us a line at mail@ppu.org.uk, on 020 7424 9444 or at @PPUtoday.