“Solidarity not charity”: Disabilities Collective holds snap speak-out
The speak-out comes in response to the Catholic Society s ableist placard.
CW: This article mentions ableism and rape.
The University of Sydney Disabilities Collective held a snap speak-out today outside Fisher Library in response to the A-frame erected yesterday on Eastern Avenue by the Sydney University Catholic Society and subsequent ableist rhetoric on social media.
Taking the stage outside Fisher Library, SRC Disabilities Officer Margot Beavon-Collin condemned the stunt as “disgusting” and delivered an impassioned speech lamenting the fact that “people who would have been on campus yesterday had to look at that sign and witness complete random strangers voting on the worth of their life.”
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Welfare Action Group holds speak-out
Students spoke out about issues such as public housing and financial difficulties faced by University students. Photo: Nandini Dhir
The USyd Welfare Action Group hosted a speak-out at midday on Wednesday outside Fisher Library.
Students congregated and stepped to the mic to share their thoughts on issues such as housing, sexual assault on campus, disability exclusion and welfare payments.
SRC Co-Welfare Officer Lia Perkins, who organised the speak-out, opened the space with the focus on “fight[ing] for students, the unemployed and against the injustices of the capitalist colonial state.”
“The welfare rate should be at $80 per day and it’s clearly evident that the Liberal Government can do it… and COVID is far from over,” Co-Welfare Officer Shreyaa Sundararaghavan said.