Kustra criticizes fliers; vigil today

Bumped to the top due to breaking info below ... 

Boise State University President Bob Kustra on Wednesday spoke out against the fliers used by BSU's College Republicans to advertise tonight's speech by anti-immigration firebrand Robert Vasquez, calling the handbills "offensive and insulting." Read more at The Arbiter and New West.

It's worth noting that Kustra was a Republican state legislator and lieutenant governor in Illinois. Like so many Republicans who move to Idaho, however, he's probably learned by now that Idaho Republicans are a breed apart.

Meanwhile, don't forget the activities planned tonight (Thursday, March 22) to protest the College Republicans' insensitivity. A press conference is set for 5:30 p.m. on the Student Union Building Patio. After that, from roughly 6:15 to 7:30, students and others will surround the SUB for a silent vigil to demonstrate that most Idahoans are peaceful people who realize that we are a nation of immigrants. More than a dozen student and community organizations will take part, and individuals are welcome, too. Participants are asked to wear white. Signs are OK, but they should be respectful. At 7:30,  the film Wetback - a realistic look at the immigrant experience - will be shown in the Jordan Ballroom.

I may not make it to the vigil, so please plan to use this as an open thread to comment about your observations and experiences if you are able to be there.

Update 4:55 p.m. Thursday: The Democratic National Committee included BSU in a national press release issued today about collegiate Republicans' anti-immigrant activity. Apparently, students on campuses in New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania have pulled similar stunts. A snip:

This week, Boise State University College Republicans have joined the list of College Republicans who have held anti-immigrant "games" by creating a despicable ad to promote a conservative speaker on campus. The ad advertises a food stamp drawing and a free meal at a "Mexican restaurant" for students who "climb through the hole in the fence" and submit illegal identification.

This recent derogatory stunt comes on the heels of national news reports that confirm the rise in hate groups who are feeding off of anti-immigrant sentiments. Sadly, while these activities continue on America's campuses and while Republican presidential candidates use harsh words on immigration for political gain, the national Republican Party has remained quietly on the sidelines.

It has been three weeks since Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Hispanic Caucus Chair Ramona Martinez sent a letter to RNC General Chairman Mel Martinez regarding the despicable conduct of College Republicans. The Republican Chairman has yet to respond.

Meanwhile, I got an email tip this afternoon reporting that a longtime BSU staffer has lost his job over what my correspondent termed "Fliergate." The emailer wrote, "How is it that firing a long time staff member, who was known for strictly adhering to college policies, and who CLEARLY FOLLOWED UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES IN THIS CASE, is 'ensuring accountability in the approval process.'"

Normally, of course, fliers would be protected under the First Amendment. Many schools have policies that curb hurtful or offensive material in campus postings; I don't know (and I don't have time to check) whether BSU has such a policy, though I believe fliers must be approved before posting. In any case, however, it seems overkill that someone would lose his job over this. It's far more embarrassing to the College Republicans - and to the GOP in general - than it is to BSU.

Comments

[sharon fisher]

thanks for the shout-out!

[slfisher]

Fliers do indeed need to be approved, and thd fliers with Chapala's name, *which are still posted on campus*, are dutifully stamped that they have been approved by the Student Activities office.

[Julie in Boise]

Click my name for the Idaho Statesman's coverage of Thursday night's activities.

[The Nickel-Plated JA]

I suspect the *Chapala* flap is why the staffer's head rolled... the #1 function of something like a flyer-approval process is to protect against institutional liability; with Chapala threatening a lawsuit, obviously there was some falling-down in the fact-checking portion of the approval process (ie. bothering to confirm that Chapala was a sponsor, since it is patently obvious they were not -- and probably should have raised a red flag with anyone who actually bothered to *read* the flyer as part of the process).

[David Erin Anthony]

My hats off to the silent vigil. A few counter protested with shouts and taunts. I especially liked the one who grasping at straws told us that his forefathers were also immigrants but were not here legally. I wanted to ask him if he thought if the Native Americans would think the same way. The best was when he told us to "....go back to Mexico. And while you're at it, keep going." I wanted to spout out why he had such hate in his heart.