Aa
UC Irvine Suspends Muslim Group Over Disruption
All groups,Muslims included, need to learn that their rights end where the next person's begin. Inappropriate behavior must not be tolerated. Denying others freedom of speech by disruption should not be tolerated. We all have the freedom of speech and of assembly in this country. Those who seek to deny others their rights through intimidation must be stopped!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
June 15, 2010
UC Irvine Suspends Muslim Group Over Disruption
JACOB ADELMAN | 06/14/10 06:20 PM | AP
LOS ANGELES — A University of California, Irvine, disciplinary committee ruled that a Muslim student group should be suspended for at least a year because of a protest that disrupted a talk by Israel's ambassador and led to the arrest of 11 students, according to documents released Monday.
The letter from a student affairs disciplinary committee to Muslim Student Union leaders said the group was guilty of disorderly conduct, obstructing university activities, furnishing false information and other violations of campus policy.
University spokeswoman Cathy Lawhon said the committee's decision will be a binding recommendation to the campus' office of student affairs if a planned appeal by the group does not succeed.
MSU attorney Reem Salahi said the committee relied on evidence relied that was "inadequate and problematic" but declined to outline the group's challenge in detail. She said the decision, if sustained, would leave Muslim students without an organization representing their interests.
"It really does have very lasting constitutional implications," she said. "It's a chilling effect for Muslims on campus and their right to associate."
Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren was repeatedly interrupted and called "murderer" and "war criminal" by pro-Palestinian students as he was giving a talk on the Middle East peace process in February.
Eleven students were cited on charges of disrupting a public event after they were requested to refrain from heckling but did not.
Orange County district attorney spokeswoman Susan Schroeder said criminal charges have yet to be filed and it was unknown if or when they would be.
The MSU condemned the ambassador's appearance but insisted it did not organize the protests.
The disciplinary committee, however, said a review of online message group conversations and minutes from an MSU meeting revealed that the group did engineer the protests and instructed participants to lie about its involvement.
The group's preparations allegedly included scripting statements for protesters to make during the event and instructing participants to cheer at disruptions.
"Be VERY LOUD, firm and strong ... but remain composed and under control. Do not let your emotions get the best of you. Remember that this is a planned/calculated response and not a venting session," the committee quoted organizers as telling participants in meeting minutes.
The committee also ruled that the group should be put on disciplinary probation for a year following its suspension, which ends in August 2011, and that members collectively complete 50 hours of community service.
The letter, dated May 27, was released following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Jewish Federation Orange County.
Article can be found at The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/14/uc-irvine-suspends-muslim_n_611435.html?view=screen
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
June 15, 2010
UC Irvine Suspends Muslim Group Over Disruption
JACOB ADELMAN | 06/14/10 06:20 PM | AP
LOS ANGELES — A University of California, Irvine, disciplinary committee ruled that a Muslim student group should be suspended for at least a year because of a protest that disrupted a talk by Israel's ambassador and led to the arrest of 11 students, according to documents released Monday.
The letter from a student affairs disciplinary committee to Muslim Student Union leaders said the group was guilty of disorderly conduct, obstructing university activities, furnishing false information and other violations of campus policy.
University spokeswoman Cathy Lawhon said the committee's decision will be a binding recommendation to the campus' office of student affairs if a planned appeal by the group does not succeed.
MSU attorney Reem Salahi said the committee relied on evidence relied that was "inadequate and problematic" but declined to outline the group's challenge in detail. She said the decision, if sustained, would leave Muslim students without an organization representing their interests.
"It really does have very lasting constitutional implications," she said. "It's a chilling effect for Muslims on campus and their right to associate."
Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren was repeatedly interrupted and called "murderer" and "war criminal" by pro-Palestinian students as he was giving a talk on the Middle East peace process in February.
Eleven students were cited on charges of disrupting a public event after they were requested to refrain from heckling but did not.
Orange County district attorney spokeswoman Susan Schroeder said criminal charges have yet to be filed and it was unknown if or when they would be.
The MSU condemned the ambassador's appearance but insisted it did not organize the protests.
The disciplinary committee, however, said a review of online message group conversations and minutes from an MSU meeting revealed that the group did engineer the protests and instructed participants to lie about its involvement.
The group's preparations allegedly included scripting statements for protesters to make during the event and instructing participants to cheer at disruptions.
"Be VERY LOUD, firm and strong ... but remain composed and under control. Do not let your emotions get the best of you. Remember that this is a planned/calculated response and not a venting session," the committee quoted organizers as telling participants in meeting minutes.
The committee also ruled that the group should be put on disciplinary probation for a year following its suspension, which ends in August 2011, and that members collectively complete 50 hours of community service.
The letter, dated May 27, was released following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Jewish Federation Orange County.
Article can be found at The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/14/uc-irvine-suspends-muslim_n_611435.html?view=screen
Yes I agree to that extent because where I went to school there were student groups that as the issue of Israel became contestuous, started protesting against each other although the student groups were not founded for that purpose and from what I read it became quite disruptive. Fortunately, I had graduated by that point. I do know some schools had speakers that people believed (this is independent of the issue of Israel) to be extremist and although there were protests they did not include disrupting the person's ability to speak. Some of the people in my family went to the same school I did and were in student groups for people that were Jewish such as Hillel but can understand concerns about Israel but do agree its how they are expressed and I would agree in general that anyone speaking on campus should be allowed to do so with respect. Civil disobediance has been a part of political protests in our nation at times but when it is invasive of campus activities it can be disruptive. I agree.
My point is this: The Israeli minister was scheduled to speak. Anyone could get in. But he was not allowed to speak because of a student group. This student group denied it was an organized effort but their emails and other information proved that it was an organized disruption. They did exercise their option to picket outside or to hold their own rally elsewhere. No one is trying to deny the Muslims their rights. But the Muslims attempted to deny the Israeli minister his right to speak.
Now, lets say a Palestinian is scheduled to speak. The Jewish students organize a disruption. Do you think that's ok? Should they do this? And how much news coverage would that get? This event got very little.
Frankly, the campus disruption tactic was new in the 1960's. People didn't know how to handle it. But now it's old hat. And frankly I'm tired of their lack of civility.
Now, lets say a Palestinian is scheduled to speak. The Jewish students organize a disruption. Do you think that's ok? Should they do this? And how much news coverage would that get? This event got very little.
Frankly, the campus disruption tactic was new in the 1960's. People didn't know how to handle it. But now it's old hat. And frankly I'm tired of their lack of civility.
Yes that happened at N.Y.U. as well over an event that was a student protest that was disruptive that was about a variety of issues including concerns about Israel (although the students were not Islamic) and they were suspended. It is hard to say (in a strict constitutional sense) what the specific limits are as regards free speech and the division between that and action which would be considered inappropriate. I do know that the era of political protests that were common on campuses in the 60's has declined (the students even then if they became disruptive did face arrest of course) and when I went to college in the 90's there was some political activism but since then it has declined further. I would believe those regulations to be fair minded but they should apply to all groups. Honestly I'd rather see a meeting and specific dialogue between the various groups then protests and counter protests by various student groups against each other as it creates a divisive atmosphere on campus.
Excellant good job someone not afraid for once ....the puffington plagurism post hahah
You must join this user group in order to participate in this discussion.
You are reading content posted in the Current Events . . . Group
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
