Shameful protest at Carolina
From The N&O:
"CHAPEL HILL -- UNC-CH police released pepper spray and threatened to use a Taser on student protesters Tuesday evening when a crowd disrupted a speech by former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo opposing in-state tuition benefits to unauthorized immigrants.
"Hundreds of protesters converged on Bingham Hall, shouting profanities and accusations of racism while Tancredo and the student who introduced him tried to speak. Minutes into the speech, a protester pounded a window of the classroom until the glass shattered, prompting Tancredo to flee and campus police to shut down the event. ..."
I'm embarrassed that such a shameful act of mob intimidation took place at the state's flagship public university, which ought to be a bastion of free speech and tolerance for different ideas.
As a student, I attended a similar event in the mid-70s when student protesters shouted down Klansman David Duke. That, too, was a violation of the free exchange of ideas. At least in that case, you could make a strong argument that Duke never should have been asked to speak in the first place.
Tancredo is no Klansman and his views about illegal immigrants and higher education are certainly not racist or hateful.
I'm sorry police had to use pepper spray on anyone. But I hope Chancellor Holden Thorp will review this disgraceful event and consider strong measures that will educate offenders about decent behavior and the value of free speech.
Addendum: Daily Tar Heel coverage.
YouTube video: The protesters play into a PR victory for opponents of illegal immigration.
Update, 1:13 p.m: Here's Chancellor Holden Thorp's statement. It's dated April 14, but it wasn't posted this morning. I hope he'll say something more forceful when he's had time to investigate the incident.
Comments (7)
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dgclark@news-record.com
Posted on April 15, 2009 11:09 AM
I remember the Speaker Ban Law. I will raise one Gandi card against the anarchic bet. Violence is stupid and evil. The Speaker Ban Law was recinded due to Chapel Hill students understanding the wrongness of mob rule. Grow up protestors and if lawlessless is your style then you have not learned much.
Posted on April 15, 2009 1:00 PM
Tancredo is no Klansman and his views about illegal immigrants and higher education are certainly not racist or hateful.* Doug
Of course ole Tom is not a dues paying KKK member! But if it makes sounds and walks like Duck, than one can assume it is a Duck without a pointed Hood and Robe.
Talking about free speech! Are you aware that the So-Called Tea Parties leadership [ GOP, Fox Network, Looney Glen Bech have limited free speech at their protests on public property by probiting Ron Paul signs, Speakers, or any other Constitutional groups who show their displeasure at this phony conservative movment! One can assume that they are enforcing this little act against Free Speech by using the Blackwater private group.
Posted on April 15, 2009 1:07 PM
I've never been more embarrassed to call myself a UNC alumnus than I was this morning when I saw that in the DTH.
What those protesters did was antithetical to what a university is supposed to be. And their actions have the ironic twist of helping to validate the message they so dearly oppose.
It was clear for at least a few days that there would be an emotional reaction to Tancredo on campus because some student groups have spent the last few days charging the atmosphere with exaggerated rhetoric, plastering giant stickers all over campus (and causing quite a bit of property damage) making accusations of white supremacy and facism, and calling for a mass student response.
I wish the university could have done more to prevent the protests from getting so out of hand, but maybe that wasn't possible.
Posted on April 15, 2009 1:09 PM
I completely agree with you about the impact, Jonathan. Whoever took the video, now on YouTube, sounds almost giddy about the protests, They served his cause much better than a Tancredo speech would have.
Connie, see my post about the Greensboro Tea event. Lots of GPD officers there, no "goons" keeping out dissenters that I could see. The crowd appeared good-natured, not angry. It includes quite a few children and many grandparent types.
Posted on April 15, 2009 1:23 PM
I would have been in Raleigh, had not been for dentist appointment. Glad to see you printed this Mr. Clark, shows I am right when I say not one cent of taxpayers money for colleges.
Now less see if Erskine does the right thing and fires this professor, and kicks students out of school.
The Duke men got kicked out for doing nothing.
Of course the thing with illegals, the government should round them up and send them home.
Posted on April 15, 2009 3:10 PM
Needless to say, I think cutting off state funding for UNC would be the wrong remedy here. I doubt you'd get any public support for that idea, Doug J.
Posted on April 15, 2009 3:13 PM