Immigrant debate stirs ire

[RightinNYC]

Some of you may remember the NYU College Republican's "Find the Illegal Immigrant" event that caused an uproar a month ago...

Well, after hearing from so many people that the game was 'racist' and that a debate or panel would have been the proper forum to host the issues, the CR's decided to do just that, inviting people from across the ideological spectrum to debate. Unfortunately, the College Democrats and their assorted colleagues decided to turn down the CR's offer to do exactly what they had asked to do a month ago, saying that due to the CR's 'racism,' they refused to have anything to do with them.

So when the CR's even went off last night, there was quite a scene. The CR's had invited Chris Simcox, president of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, to be one of their 4 speakers, which drove the opposition groups into apoplexy. Here's a few snippets that should give you a taste of what it was like:

As Simcox approached the microphone to speak for the 15 minutes he was allocated, protesters drowned out Simcox with shouts and chants.

During Simcox's speech, Chester Asher, a black graduate student in the Wagner School of Public Service, stood up and accused him of being racist. Asher was escorted out of the room by NYU Public Safety officials.

"We're going to give him respect? **** you!" Asher said. "You used to lynch people like me."

Simcox's speech was preceded by the three other panelists, including Jan Ting, a Temple University professor; Enrique Morones, the founder of Border Angel, an organization that provides water and aid to people trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border; and Guillermina Jasso, an NYU sociology professor.

The protesters in the auditorium remained silent for Ting and Jasso, who were the first two speakers. Morones, however, drew supportive shouts from the protesters after he personally attacked Simcox, including accusing him of child molestation, spousal abuse and embezzlement.

He also criticized the NYU College Republicans for organizing the "Find the Illegal Immigrant" held last February.

"When you see these games, looking for the illegal immigrant, that's hate," he said. "That's evil."

Morones ended his remarks by leading the protesters in the audience in a chant of the Spanish phrase "Si, se puede," or "Yes, we can." Then, to protest Simcox, he left the stage.

(They might be morons, but at least they're good looking, right? ...anyone?)

The presentations by the panelists were followed by a question-and-answer period where voices were often raised as questions turned into yelling matches between panelists and audience members.

"We're protesting the fact that the Minutemen are on campus propagating hatred," said Dave Hancock, a Gallatin senior and a Coalition spokesman. "The Minutemen have a right to free speech, and we have an obligation - a moral obligation - to respond."

The Coalition has declared a boycott of all College Republican events until the group acknowledges the "Find the Illegal Immigrant" game was "a racist stunt," Hancock said.

A small group of counterdemonstrators opposed to illegal immigration stood behind a barrier of bicycle racks, guarded by an NYU Public Safety officer.

One protester pulled an American flag from a counterdemonstrator's hand, ripped it in half and threw it on the ground. The counterdemonstrators left before 7:15 p.m.

A protester, who asked to be identified as Caz, said, "We see a whole history of racists and vigilantes terrorizing nonwhites and working people to protect profits and power. We see the Minutemen in the same tradition as the KKK."

As the panel discussion began inside, the protesters used a megaphone to chant slogans in both English and Spanish, such as "Minutemen, Nazis, KKK. Racists, fascists, go away," and "Racist Minutemen you can't hide, we charge you with genocide."

These are the idiots I go to school with.:doh Just 30 more days....

 

[RightOfCenter]

Glad to see they're all for free speech, huh?

 

[Captain America]

Reminds me when they shouted down Ward Churchill. At least they are consistant. Shout down anyone you don't agree with.

We live in a world where "He who shouts the loudest is always right.":roll:
Just ask Bill! :mrgreen:

 

[WI Crippler]

People that cannot win in the arena of honest debate will always yell, as if to emphasize their point being superior because of their passion for that topic. Thats why talk radio and Op-ed shows are hard to take seriously.

If these kids want respect, and their opinion to be heard, they should embrace any opportunity offered them to discuss their views in an open forum. Unfortunantley they believe,as many others do, that their way is the only way and any invitation from an outside organization is threatening. I imagine it is threatening, because they know that they will be challenged and will not be able to defend their position once they are exposed for what they are.

 

[RightinNYC]

Reminds me when they shouted down Ward Churchill. At least they are consistant. Shout down anyone you don't agree with.

We live in a world where "He who shouts the loudest is always right.":roll:
Just ask Bill! :mrgreen:

Yea, and if the yelling doesn't work, just call them pedophiles. That'll shut them up.:roll:

 

[Willow]

(They might be morons, but at least they're good looking, right? ...anyone?)

You need glasses, they look sulky and that's just not attractive.:mrgreen:

I think the only thing these college kids accomplished was to make themselves look narrow minded and ignorant. Didn't any of their professors explain to them that to debate an argument properly you need to know what both sides are?

People that cannot win in the arena of honest debate will always yell, as if to emphasize their point being superior because of their passion for that topic. Thats why talk radio and Op-ed shows are hard to take seriously.

If these kids want respect, and their opinion to be heard, they should embrace any opportunity offered them to discuss their views in an open forum. Unfortunantley they believe,as many others do, that their way is the only way and any invitation from an outside organization is threatening. I imagine it is threatening, because they know that they will be challenged and will not be able to defend their position once they are exposed for what they are.

Well said!