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Jihad speaker draws concern
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A controversial speaker invited by a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student group drew national attention this week after the group was initially charged an extra security fee to hold the event.
UWM's Conservative Union invited former Palestinian Liberation Organization member Walid Shoebat to speak in a lecture titled "Why I Left Jihad" Dec. 4.
The group was charged the $1,700 security fee when the usual cost for an event like this is $800 for basic services, like equipment and chair set-up, said Conservative Union president and UWM senior Josh Dirkse.
Before being notified the fee would be dropped Thursday, the university set the cost for the room reservation at $2,500 for the lecture — which includes a security fee.
The Conservative Union paid the university on Monday, forcing them to displace Shoebat's speaking honorarium by $1,000.
"We didn't want them to give them any reason to cancel the event," Dirkse said.
Dirkse said he received an e-mail from university officials Thursday evening saying the university will be dropping the $1,700 security fee, allowing the group to cover Mr. Shoebat's honorarium and helping the Conservative Union's finances, Dirkse said.
"You're going to get people who don't like his ideas or feel threatened, but this is the first time I've ever had to pay for security and I've helped plan over 10 events," Dirkse said.
Dirkse said the security costs were going to help pay for eight armed policemen, 13 contracted police and metal detectors.
In a letter to UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago sent Wednesday by Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, he asked for "immediate action in preventing administrators at UW-Milwaukee from using an excessive security fee as a tool in discouraging the scheduled speech of Walid Shoebat."
Nass called the security fee "a backdoor attempt at canceling the speech."
"I recognize for some administrators, faculty and students, the very existence of a conservative student group causes great personal discomfort," Nass said.
Dirkse said he was frustrated views like his own "aren't welcome on college campuses."
"I take issue with the fact that the security fee was based on content nature," Dirkse said. "Granted, it's along religious lines and dealing with 9/11 in a post-9/11 world, but I think there is a better way to go about qualifying speakers."
He added university officials called Shoebat a "rabble rouser" and that's why he and his organization were treated differently.
Officials from UWM declined to comment on the topic.
Shoebat's lecture will be held at the UW-Milwaukee Union at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4. The event is free and open to the public.12 Comments | Leave a comment
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A more appropriate headline would be “Anti-Jihad speaker draws concern that bigoted Muslims who support terror will disrupt and cause violence at event”
Or, “Bigoted Anti-Muslim conservatives think all Muslims are violent and will stage new 9/11 terrorist attack at Anti-Muslim event that no one will attend”
Yeah, somebody might show up with a teddy bear named Muhammad and then the Muslims brandishing swords and sticks will come out!
I wish it it was a joke - but the swords and sticks are real. But not ALL the Muslims will show up to vent their anger - only the violent, murdering ones - only thousands perhaps.
Good luck with the speech, Mr Shoebat. Let’s see if those who drape themselves in their 1st amendment rights will allow the Conservative Union to hear the speaker of their choice. I wait with baited breath for the screaming/interruptions and immature behavior by the “tolerant” left.
Most accurate would be, “Disingenuous Terror-Appeasing Islamist Campus Group Tries To Stifle Tolerant Humanist Anti-Jihad Message”.
Your warning lights should go off any time a group tries to shut down freedom of expression on campus or anywhere else.
Looks to me like the University of Wisconsin is badly in fected with Political Correctness.
Islam: we will behead you if you name your teddy bears Mohammed!
Religion of Peace my a__.
thank god the first amendment of the united states constitution was for now atleast able to trump the bigotry of islamic pressure groups.
Islam cannot withstand criticism. The books are too easy to read and the teachings clearly lay out the 'religions'' violent and supremacist nature. Watch for the Muslim Student Association to scream victimhood.
4:89 Have no unbelieving friends. Kill the unbelievers wherever you find them.
Make your own judgments:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/052.sbt.html#004.052.260
-Missing the Rathskellar
What I’d like to ask the powers that be at this university is why the need for so much security for Mr Shoebat and from whom is he being protected?
Aine
Looks like the University of Wisconsin administration may actually be blessed with a few real adults, with a real feeling for “academic freedom” in the best, truest senses of the phrase.
Bravo.
Smug hypocrit @ 7:43pm bloviated: “‘academic freedom’ in the best, truest senses of the phrase”
Translated: Free speech for me… but not for thee.
“Shut Up”, they explained. http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/11853126.html#Scene_1
Thank you Wisconsin, for illustrating (once again) the academic Left’s glaring hypocrisy.
“security fee”
Yeah, right. It’s the scrutiny of Islam and the goals of those who interpret the Koran literally that gives the sense of insecurity to the Islamists. Walid Shoebat gets in the way of the ultimate desire - a world wide Caliphate under the rule of Sharia Law.