In light of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States on June 23rd 2022, we as your Elected Officers realise that a majority of our students at UAL may be feeling sad, upset and worried. We understand, and we stand with you. We want to make it clear that we are strongly against this decision, and will support any student who may be affected by it.

We know that we have a high number of American International Students who may be feeling worried and upset about what is going on back home, and we encourage you to reach out if needed – our Advice Team is always available at advice@su.arts.ac.uk.

We are also aware that there has been an increase in picketing and protesting outside of sexual health and family planning clinics in London, and the rest of the UK, as a response to what is happening in the USA. If any student is feeing concerned regarding their ability to access these necessary health treatments, or are struggling to access reproductive health services and may need help finding where to go, please reach out to our Advice Team and they can speak to you in a safe and non-judgemental space.

Finally, we wish to voice our condemnation of those who harass, intimidate and humiliate people who are accessing these services, and urge any student at UAL who shares our beliefs on this to show their solidarity to those affected by this. As the picketing of clinics across the UK has shown already, this ruling has had, and will continue to have, massive consequences outside of the USA to reproductive health services and those who need to access them. This is a time for all of us at Arts SU and UAL to stand together as a community and offer genuine support and compassion for those who are struggling at this time.

Your 22/23 Sabbatical Officer Team:

Ellie Short, Union Affairs Officer

Armani Sutherland, Student Communities Officer

Kim Hughes, CCW College Officer

Minna Ellis, CSM Collge Officer

Sophia Nasif, LCC College Officer

Ti’onne Debnam, LCF College Officer