OUSA president Logan Edgar emerges from behind the bars of
a prison cage on the University Union Lawn yesterday, after
he spent 42 hours locked inside in protest at impending
legislation changes for student associations. Photo by
Peter McIntosh.
A self-imposed spell in a "prison cell" ended for Otago
University Students Association president Logan Edgar
yesterday, when he emerged from a cage where he has lived for
almost two days.
The launch of the OUSA publicity stunt was marred by an
alleged assault of Mr Edgar as he prepared to enter his
"presidential prison" on Monday night.
Mr Edgar said he remained undecided about whether to lay
charges against a member of the Act on Campus group, after an
altercation which allegedly involved being grabbed by the
throat, accompanied by a threat of more violence.
While the alleged incident had "definitely hijacked" the
launch of OUSA's protest, Mr Edgar said it would not detract
from the campaign against Voluntary Student Membership (VSM).
"Any sort of violence is wrong and you don't really want to
let it lie, but I've got bigger issues at the moment to deal
with ... It was really stupid and unacceptable," Mr Edgar
said of the incident.
The second-year marketing student from Manapouri spent 42
hours in a wire mesh cage on the University Union Lawn to
protest against a looming legislation change, which could
signal a death knell for student associations around the
country.
Student associations want to stop the contentious Education
(Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill, which is sponsored
by retiring Act New Zealand MP Heather Roy and nears its
third reading in Parliament soon.
Mr Edgar braved near-freezing night-time temperatures during
his stint behind bars and planned a much-needed bathroom
visit after he squeezed between the bars of his cage about
1pm yesterday.
He was optimistic students around the country would form
their own protests to get the message to politicians.
"If we have more of this sort of stuff before the final
[reading], then I think we have a pretty good chance of
defeating the Bill," Mr Edgar said.
Student associations estimate they will lose almost all of
their revenue if students are given a choice about paying to
join university associations.
VSM would "get rid" of university clubs, student association
organised events, such as the national University Games
tournament, and also important campus support services, Mr
Edgar said.
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