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Friday, February 4, 2011

Orange County Grand Jury Charges 11 in Speech Disruption at UC-Irvine

In breaking news today, an Orange County (CA) grand jury has charged 11 members of the Muslim Student Unions of UC-Irvine and UC-Riverside for the disruption of a speech by Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Oren at UC-Irvine last February 8.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/students-287073-church-attorney.html

Yesterday, the Orange County Register published a letter to the Orange County District Attorney from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), which was also signed by several other persons and entities.

http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/defense-286944-uci-editor.html

"At the same time, prosecuting these students may in fact lead to more disruptive and perhaps violent forms of political protests, since less non-violent and less disruptive protests would by this new precedent carry nearly the same criminal exposure."

Fousesquawk comment:  Is that an implied threat?

11 comments:

Gary Fouse said...

Anonymous,

As you know if you read this blog, I am taking no position on the DA's action. I have never referred to the UCI Muslim students as criminals. Whether there was a violation of law in what they did will be determined in a court of law. There is, however, an implied threat in the CAIR letter, in my view.

You reveal yourself by your phrase, "Jewish tyranny". There is no Jewish tyranny. They can't even agree among themselves even on issues that affect their very survival.

As for the suit against Jimmy Carter, I take no position except to say that comparisons between Israel and Apartheid South Africa are just not accurate.

Anonymous said...

Glad the DA is upholding the constitution. It is sad, however, that Shalom Elcott, CEO of the Federation, does not stand behind the DA. Once again, he shows he does not speak for the Jewish community.

Anonymous said...

Its pretty disturbing that you take no position when it comes to Jimmy Carter's (an American) freedom to call Israel an apartheid state, yet you are so adamant in defending Geert Wilder's (a Dutchman) freedom to call Islam a fascist religion.

I suspect that you might also support laws against Holocaust denial.

Miggie said...

Gary,
The first blog on this thread ends with the assertion that the Muslim students are freedom fighters, not criminals.

I know, it is a bizarre opinion by someone who wants to be anonymous.
.

Gary Fouse said...

Miggie,

The term "freedom fighter" is the most abused term in the world. When you hear that term, it's time to head for the hills.

Squid said...

Ananymous,

Regarding the implied threat of "violence". "If you do the crime, you do the time!".

Squid

Siarlys Jenkins said...

Ronald Reagan called the Jihadists freedom fighters.

We seem to have either a plethora of anonymouses here, or one very schizophrenic anonymous.

No, Jews certainly can't agree among themselves on much of anything, nor can Muslims, African Americans, "white folks," American citizens generally... which is why, no there is nobody who can "speak for the Jewish community." Nobody.

I hardly think that standing up and shouting down an invited speaker shows commitment to freedom, or significant courage. Those who are confident they are right need no such petulant outbursts to reaffirm it.

It would be helpful to know what the students were charged with. Disorderly conduct is about what it amounted to in the videos I've seen here.

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T04mM8PaIw


Stand With Us video of the protest.

Anonymous said...

This is simply an attempt to criminalize dissent.

Gary Fouse said...

Anonymous #2,

You might consider whether there is a difference between dissent and disruption that would silence and take away one's right to speak and the right of others to hear him. America is full of dissent, but there are legal ways to voice that dissent without taking away the rights of others.

Siarlys Jenkins said...

Trying to shout down an opposing viewpoint is not dissent, it is tyranny.