UNC Chancellor issues statement on Tancredo protest
On Monday night, former Congressman and anti-immigration activist Tom Tancredo spoke at an event at UNC-Chapel Hill, sponsored by a student group called Youth for Western Civilization. Tancredo was brought in to give a speech against illegal immigrants receiving in-state tuition at state schools.
Protesters interrupted his speech almost as soon as he started talking, and things got completely out of hand: some students blocked Tancredo from sight with a 12-foot banner, and someone even broke a window. Police used pepper spray in response, and threatened to use Tasers.
As a UNC graduate who disagrees with most of Tancredo's political views, including his perspective on immigration policy, I find it very troubling that he was not even allowed to speak. Don't get me wrong - I am not criticizing anyone for protesting, marching, or even holding up contrarian signs during a speech (as long as the signs don't block anyone's view of the speaker). But there's a big difference between protesting and physically blocking someone from view, shouting him down while he's trying to speak, and pounding on a window until it shatters.
If I had to pick the one overriding reason I consider myself a moderate or a moderate liberal, it would be that I can't stand the tendency among the far left to demonize everyone who disagrees with you. In that mindset, there's an exemption to the free speech rights the rest of us enjoy: all you have to do is label someone else's point-of-view as "hate" and your disruption of free speech is not only exempted, it's sanctified. I wish a widely-respected liberal constitutional rights expert like Glenn Greenwald would weigh in on this one.
Earlier this evening, UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp issued a statement on the Tancredo incident to members of the General Alumni Association, and I think he said exactly what needs to be said:
*************************************************************************************
Dear Carolina alumni and friends,
Many of you have heard or read about a protest on campus Monday night, and I'm writing to share with you the message I sent yesterday to our campus community. I think you will find that the message speaks for itself. But if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp, Chancellor
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Message from the Chancellor: Free Speech at Carolina (April 15, 2009)
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
I want to express how disappointed I am in what happened last night when former Congressman Tom Tancredo wasn't able to speak when a protest got out of hand, and our Department of Public Safety had to take action. Congressman Tancredo felt threatened and left without making his remarks.
Mr. Tancredo was scheduled to speak about immigration. We expect protests about controversial subjects at Carolina. That's part of our culture. But we also pride ourselves on being a place where all points of view can be expressed and heard. There's a way to protest that respects free speech and allows people with opposing views to be heard. Here that's often meant that groups protesting a speaker have displayed signs or banners, silently expressing their opinions while the speaker had his or her say. That didn't happen last night.
On behalf of our University community, I called Mr. Tancredo today to apologize for how he was treated. In addition, our Department of Public Safety is investigating this incident. They will pursue criminal charges if any are warranted. Our Division of Student Affairs is also investigating student involvement in the protest. If that investigation determines sufficient evidence, participating students could face Honor Court proceedings.
Carolina's tradition of free speech is a fundamental part of what has made this place special for more than 200 years. Let's recommit ourselves to that ideal.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp
Protesters interrupted his speech almost as soon as he started talking, and things got completely out of hand: some students blocked Tancredo from sight with a 12-foot banner, and someone even broke a window. Police used pepper spray in response, and threatened to use Tasers.
As a UNC graduate who disagrees with most of Tancredo's political views, including his perspective on immigration policy, I find it very troubling that he was not even allowed to speak. Don't get me wrong - I am not criticizing anyone for protesting, marching, or even holding up contrarian signs during a speech (as long as the signs don't block anyone's view of the speaker). But there's a big difference between protesting and physically blocking someone from view, shouting him down while he's trying to speak, and pounding on a window until it shatters.
If I had to pick the one overriding reason I consider myself a moderate or a moderate liberal, it would be that I can't stand the tendency among the far left to demonize everyone who disagrees with you. In that mindset, there's an exemption to the free speech rights the rest of us enjoy: all you have to do is label someone else's point-of-view as "hate" and your disruption of free speech is not only exempted, it's sanctified. I wish a widely-respected liberal constitutional rights expert like Glenn Greenwald would weigh in on this one.
Earlier this evening, UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp issued a statement on the Tancredo incident to members of the General Alumni Association, and I think he said exactly what needs to be said:
*************************************************************************************
Dear Carolina alumni and friends,
Many of you have heard or read about a protest on campus Monday night, and I'm writing to share with you the message I sent yesterday to our campus community. I think you will find that the message speaks for itself. But if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp, Chancellor
=================================
Message from the Chancellor: Free Speech at Carolina (April 15, 2009)
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
I want to express how disappointed I am in what happened last night when former Congressman Tom Tancredo wasn't able to speak when a protest got out of hand, and our Department of Public Safety had to take action. Congressman Tancredo felt threatened and left without making his remarks.
Mr. Tancredo was scheduled to speak about immigration. We expect protests about controversial subjects at Carolina. That's part of our culture. But we also pride ourselves on being a place where all points of view can be expressed and heard. There's a way to protest that respects free speech and allows people with opposing views to be heard. Here that's often meant that groups protesting a speaker have displayed signs or banners, silently expressing their opinions while the speaker had his or her say. That didn't happen last night.
On behalf of our University community, I called Mr. Tancredo today to apologize for how he was treated. In addition, our Department of Public Safety is investigating this incident. They will pursue criminal charges if any are warranted. Our Division of Student Affairs is also investigating student involvement in the protest. If that investigation determines sufficient evidence, participating students could face Honor Court proceedings.
Carolina's tradition of free speech is a fundamental part of what has made this place special for more than 200 years. Let's recommit ourselves to that ideal.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp
posted at 5:52:00 PM | permalink
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