'This is how I stand up for people... what I care about'

Riz Possnett tells Tara Cobham why they protested when Kathleen Stock spoke at the Oxford Union gender-critical

- TARA COBHAM

A trans rights protester has explained why they glued themselves to the floor during a talk at the Oxford Union.

Riz Possnett was one of around 200 demonstrators taking part in Oxford Trans Pride, organised in opposition to the appearance of gender-critical feminist Professor Kathleen Stock.

Speaking to The Independent about why they felt compelled to take this action, The University of Oxford student said: “I’m infuriatingly bothered by anything I perceive as injustice. It’s absolutely to my own detriment, and I’d have a significantly better quality of life if I didn’t do this. But if I see something I see to be wrong or harmful, I just can’t help myself.”

They said they were “terrified” in the build-up to the action, adding: “I was scared all these people queuing for the talk were about to hate me in an hour.”

But while stuck to the floor, Possnett, who has been an activist and involved with various causes for five years, said they “switched off” due to the adrenaline coursing through their body.

“I was staring off into the distance – apart from when someone came near me, to see if they would kick me,” Possnett said. “Otherwise, I was trying to zone out, breathe slowly, and not get hit.”

It took four police officers around 10 minutes to remove the protester, with the student saying they were later arrested but released under investigation.