I will have more to say on this later, but I am cross-posting an article from the LA Jewish Journal reporting the incident. Roz Rothstein, the head of Stand With Us, a pro-Jewish, pro-Israel group was removed by campus police at USC from a pro-Palestinian group devoted to Israel divestment. The police acted upon the request of the pro-Palestinian group's leader.
http://www.jewishjournal.com/bloggish/item/standwithus_head_evicted_from_usc_pro-palestinian_student_group_meeting_201/
OK, the university has made it clear that campus police are not to enforce requests of this kind. Fine, well and good.
ReplyDeleteAlso, rabid politicos tend to be paranoid, and demand things they are not entitled to; police will not be used for such purposes in the future.
If a group really wants to have a private, closed-door planning session, all they really need to do is meet in some host-participant's dorm room, or off-campus residence, by invitation only.
This naturally reminds me of the recent controversy over the Christian Legal Society's right to Recognized Student Organization status while excluding anyone engaged in sexual activity outside of a Christian marriage. CLS's position was, anyone is welcome to attend meetings, but only those who agree to the organization's principles can vote. That made sense to me, but not to the administration of UC-Hastings Law School.
This goes a step beyond. Its demanding the right to exclude people from even attending meetings. Open meetings, in a limited open forum like campus organizations, are a valid requirement.
Anyone worth their salt would be entirely indifferent to the presence of people who disagree -- if God is with us, who can stand against us, and all that. What's the big secret anyway? Further, can't a reporter for the student paper show up if they want? Don't most sympathizers of Israel read?
Silly.
I bet you they get a few years suspension for this. Must not show compassion and give them a slap on the wrist the way the school did to the MSU.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds strangely similar to UCI MSU Islamist issues. Of course, the pro-Palestinian groups will be following Sharia law, which does not recognize the U.S. Constitution. This violation of First Amendment rights is a travesty and the Watch Commander overseeing the security of the campus must be admonished and trained in the Constitution, particularly the First Amendment. Then, all the campus police must be counseled in the ways of the Constitution. A letter must go to the pro-Palestinian group indicating that USC is bound be the U.S. Constitution and its policies and procedures, and especially the First Amendment. If this group does not like to follow the rules, get off the campus! Also, the group leader must write a letter of apology to Roz Rothstein.
ReplyDeleteSquid
Findalis, you always manage to skip over every fact in a story, in your hurry to complete your fantasy. The university has already acknowledged that the police should not have removed them at all, i.e., that they were doing nothing wrong.
ReplyDeleteTotally inept. Keep in mind, campus police answer to some dean.
ReplyDeleteFindalis, you always manage to skip over every fact in a story, in your hurry to complete your fantasy. The university has already acknowledged that the police should not have removed them at all, i.e., that they were doing nothing wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis is nothing, Siarlys. She once posted a link that read THE EXACT OPPOSITE of what she was claiming it did in order to make her point.