Free Speech Crusader’s academic fate sandwiched inside Chinese Flag as UQ remains adamant on its suspension verdict

Drew Pavlau's academic rights sandwiched inside the Chinese flag for two years unless he fights for it in the Supreme Court against the University of Queensland. According to reports in the Australian mainstream media, the Queensland's top university decided to uphold the suspension verdict of their most popular student on Monday. Drew, who shot to international fame after facing backlash from Chinese in the university for his pro-Hongkong free speech and democracy activism in the campus remains optimistic of his case in the Australian court.  

Drew, who is often seen in the news in his light blue T-shirt fronted with 'Free Tibet' wrote on his Twitter post, "Its not over yet as the impending victory has just been delayed".

  

The young, maverick anti-CCP and pro-democracy activist who is often seen brushing shoulders with victims of Chinese oppression and fighting for their causes will have to protect his free speech with the help of Australian judiciary and people rather than thrusting the hope on UQ’s China style court where opposition views had hardly been heard and verdicts remained foregone conclusion.  

China’s influence in the western universities are no secret due to the presence of camouflaged Confucius Institute and ubiquitous students arriving from mainland China. However, its first time that a student of Australian citizen was suspended purportedly for his activism and anti-CCP rhetoric and voice. It also shocked many when Chinese Consular in Brisbane Xu Jie was appointed honorary professor on the very day when voices were made to be heard against Chinese power influence in the campus July last year.  

University of Queensland is under scrutiny from politicians and media for its pro-Beijing stance reflected in the suspension of Drew Pavlau. Its top brass Chancellor and Vice Chancellor has been taking pro-Beijing stance ever since Drew imbroglio.  

Drew not only faced the brunt of UQ top brass, but also had faced harassment and threats from Chinese on his social media apart from being branded racist. However, his supporters who are from wide range of nationalities including Ugyurs, Vietnamese, Tibetans and HongKongers strongly remained behind him. At some rally, they chanted ‘Save Drew Pavlau’ while others called for the revocation of the suspension to bring Drew back to the university. Number of organisations including Australia Tibet Council and thousands of individuals petitioned the university to rethink their suspension verdict, but to no avail. It looks like UQ will remain adamant when it comes to dealing with China’s interest while disregarding Australian citizen’s free speech.

It all started with Drew Pavlau leading a free Hongkong demonstration in July 2019 during which he was physically assaulted by pro-CCP counter demonstrators. It was unfortunate that he had to face the suspension while the Chinese attaching him remained free. Despite all the challenges and uphill task he is facing, Drew remained defiant and even emerged much stronger than ever, continuing to appear and lead rally and demonstration supporting Hongkong, Tibet, Ugyur and Vietnam freedom movement in Brisbane. 

A grapevine has it that a strong democracy alliance against CCP might emerge soon in Queensland to counter CCP's virus and lies. This, if materialised, would become first ever alliance between activist of Australia, China, Hongkong, Tibet, Vietname and Ugyurs to fight off CCP and bring democracy in China while protecting CCP's influence in the country.

Drew Pavlau with Tenzin Phuntsok Doring

Drew with his supporters who will soon be coming out with greater alliance against CCP

Drew (in brown coat) near the Tibetan national flag flanked by Vietnamese activist Vincent Do and Tibetan Activist Tenzin