At German universities one observes groups of students who exert illegitimate pressure when events are supposed to take place that negotiate unpleasant topics.
The “Network Freedom of Science”, an association of 70 German academics, which went public in the first week of February, advocates “a plural culture of debate characterized by factual arguments and mutual respect”.
WORLD:
Some of those who belong to your network have had experiences with hostility, especially from student groups.
For example Sandra Kostner, whose dismissal was demanded by students because she invited speakers to a conference who are critical of the Islamic headscarf.
How was that a driving force?
Ulrike Ackermann:
I do think that that was a driving force.
For example Dieter Schönecker, whose seminar on freedom of expression and John Stuart Mill at the University of Siegen were canceled because he invited Thilo Sarrazin and Marc Jongen.
This is the level of the cancel culture, in which a minority of students force expulsions and in the end cowardly university administrators do not oppose it.