Gotta love it! International Socialists calling the Minutemen racist (even though they know deep down, if there was an large issue with Canadians ILLEGALLY crossing the border, the Minutemen would be to the north as well). Just because the people who happen to be breaking the law (even with legal means for entry) are "brown" does not make any action against them racially based.

The only reason the ISO (or whatever you like to call yourselves) had to shout out Gilcrest is because they cannot win in a discussion. You cannot name one instance of violence against anyone instigated by the Minutemen. You show ONE instance of vigilante justice (if you call informing the border patrol of illegal activity vigilantism, then one who witnesses any crime (including one carried out against one from the ISO) should also be considered a vigilante), I would love to see documented evidence, not just the hearsay garbage you spew.

It is sort of cool, though, the Badger Herald gave you something you denied Gilchrest (but gave Chavez), and that is the opportunity to voice your opinion. While there is no right to a forum to speak freely, you seem to see free speech as a one way street, we have to listen to you, whether you are trying to silence another or whether you are spreading lies with zero basis in truth. It is great to see the once famous National organization trying to go International.

After reading this article and reading a few other articles about this incident, I have to say that I am ashamed of our college youth today. Whether the Minutemen are right or wrong is not the point. The Minutemen were invited to speak by a group of fellow students that wanted to hear what they had to say. Those of you that rushed the stage were not invited to speak at the event. You simply were a horde of disruptive, angry, bored punks looking for attention. If you really, really wanted to get a message across, have your own guest speaker in favor of Illegal Immigration right after or before the scheduled Minutemen. But to deny a person's ability to say what's on his mind is so reminiscent of the communists. Sending a person of intelligence onto the stage for an impromptu debate with the Minutemen Rep. would have accomplished more for your cause then simply not allowing him to speak. But, I guess Columbia isn't the school it used to be. I say you kids are being ripped off. Or, your parents are being ripped off with tuition and book fees that obviously are not teaching you kids how to be effectual in affecting change. I think you would have learned more by joining the Army.

What about the following quote from one of the protesters (supplied by the NY Times)? Clearly, he felt his right to free speech meant he had the right to "occupy" the stage. Also, the minuteman apparently have no right to have even entered the debate. So, I guess the "protesters" that sent the message celebrating free speech are not exactly in unity. Not a surprise, since it was full out lie.

"We were aware that there was going to be a sign and we were going to occupy the stage," The Spectator quoted one protester who was on the stage as saying. "I don't feel like we need to apologize or anything. It was fundamentally a part of free speech. ... The Minutemen are not a legitimate part of the debate on immigration."

Having lived in Berkeley for many years, I can only assure you that your own socialist agenda is clearly marked in your comments. Exacyly how do you expect folks to take you seriously? It is one thing for you to stand up for the rights of workers, yet it is also painfully obvious you and others of your ilk work hard to confuse "immigrant" issues with the alleged right for anyone to cross the US border any time they feel like it. Since the blacks have been successful in their rightful civil rights efforts, it is only natural I suppose for you to play your race card - again, part of your socialist agenda. You really like all this excitement and attention, don't you? Your comments reveal a caustic adherence to a cause defeated the world over, as well as a social immaturity which betokens absolute ignorance regarding free society (in fact, if not for a free society there is no way you'd be making your provocative comments). What about all the racist groups that support Reconquista? Don't they count as racists?

I just can't abide line-jumping, law-breaking cheaters no matter what color they are. Let them get in line with the millions of people all over the world who apply for LEGAL entry to the USA.

It doesn't help that there is all the talk about La Reconquista, a radical movement calling for Mexico to "reconquer" America's Southwest. I'm sure that the Aztecs would like their land and gold back from the Spanish but that's not going to happen either.

Excellent article and idea! "I encourage readers to attend the immigrant rights organizing meetings that will be announced regularly on campus. For more information, go to www.april10youth.org.," you know that is a great idea! I will attend these immigrant rights meetings. Im going to HECKLE and CHANT during the whole meeting and bring a banner up and force the meeting to stop. And then, if you dare touch me, i will be outraged and tell media outlets that we were assulted. Get a clue.

This is a debate about an organization that is militant & racist.A group that has intimidated Latinos in America regardless of their legal status.To protest this by attending an event and shouting over the speaker is acceptable and is what is protected by the 1st.This isn't a debate about free speech or else it would include the hypocrisy of limiting protest to free speech zones which serve to limit dissent.

Aren't terrorists more likely to enter from the north, from Canada? Why aren't the Minutemen up there?

You can demand discplinary action against these brownshirt neo-socialists by signing the online counter-petition @ http://www.petitiononline.com/cw2006a/petition.html

Can the National, we International Socialists show one example where the Minutemen have terrorized ANYONE? I want documentation, not just spewed garbage. This arguement is about LIES LIES LIES. They ISOs can't back up a thing they say, so the have to shout to prevent the questions from being asked.

You believe in free speech, but you
occupied the stage peacefully when
someone else had been invited to
speak. I really can't express my
disgust without resorting to offensive
language! What liars you and your
ilk always are!

The International Socialist Organization again shows it's true colors... Red. The ISO wants to use Stalinist tactics to shout down and shut up people who go against there agenda, especially on college campus. The ISO has shouted down pro-war veterans at a College Republicans (CR) meeting here at UW last spring, their goal was to disrupt the meeting. We gave them patience and allowed them to say their word, but the Socialists tried to steal the show and make it an antiwar tripe. Now, their comrades do it at Columbia to the Minutemen and the CR chapter there. This time, the ISO and their associated antiwar and pro-illegal groups attacked the minutemen and the CR's physically, therefore denying the ability for the minutemen to speak.

An ISO member once said on this column that "These [Conservative] twerps are waging a self-glorified campaign of nuisance that goes beyond the acceptable bounds of discourse. As much as it pains me, we need to take these wing-nuts a little more seriously. That means reporting all cases of harassment -- particularly in University Housing -- and really considering what kind of threat the far-right represents." (Chris Dols, February 10th, 2004). This is anti freedom of speech and establishes the trend of the ISO wanting to shut up conservatives by any means possible. And, to no surprise, they continue to shut up conservatives. Columbia University is also at fault for not disciplining the ISO and the associated Far Leftist student groups who continuously harass military recruiters and conservative speakers on their campus. Columbia should stand up to these thugs and lay down the law with them. I am not saying that they should be disbanded or allowed to speak. I am saying that the rules should say that they shouldn't disrupt speakers on stage (Questioning the speaker is OK), harass military recruiters, or be violent towards those who disagree with them.

Enough is enough.

Steven Thunander

UW Madison ProtestWarrior chapter leader

thank you! I'm a columbia protester and it has been so demoralizing the way the media has spun the events on campus. I'm also a wisconsinite. Makes me wish I went to Madison! Our paper has given us nothing but hypocritical neutrality. Thanks again.