Tuks students start #ColourBlind campaign

University of Pretoria (UP) students have launched a #ColourBlind campaign against racist violence on campus.

The campaign urges people to take a picture of themselves with a person of another race following violent protests at UP against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.

Many shared their images with friends on the #ColourBlind Facebook page.

“These students have made a decision to stand up and raise their voice in the form of a peaceful protest against any form of racism,” said the description of the Facebook page #ColourBlind.

The #AfrikaansMustFall movement was demanding transformation while AfriForum and Afrikaans students wanted to protect their language and culture at the university.

This resulted in a racial clash and violence between the students this week, forcing the university to shut down all academic activity.

The #ColourBlind campaign said: “Students of the University of Pretoria have decided that they are tired of lectures being cancelled because of a handful of radical students who have now turned what was meant to be a discussion about the university’s language policy into a violent racial outburst.”

Citizens were urged to join. “We would like you to join us in this drive and to encourage students all over SA and the world to start trending the #ColourBlind.”

Another group of students have initiated a daily “Campus Prayer Walk” every morning at 06h30.

“We invite you to join us as we circle Tuks in prayer every morning 6:30 sharp. We will do this until Sunday 28th February. This is not a strike, just students trusting God for the future of our city and university,” Tobie Snyman posted on Facebook.

 

This article was originally published here