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2.21 MB
Extraction Summary
4
People
6
Organizations
3
Locations
2
Events
2
Relationships
4
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Memo / opinion piece / report page
File Size:
2.21 MB
Summary
This page, stamped with House Oversight markings, discusses a controversy at Irvine (UC Irvine) regarding the disruption of a speech by Ambassador Oren by Muslim Union students (likely the 'Irvine 11' incident). The text critiques ACLU leaders Chuck Anderson and Hector Villagro for signing a letter that failed to condemn the censorship, contrasting their stance with Dean Chemerinsky, who argued the disruption was not protected free speech. The author argues that failing to prosecute or discipline the students encourages further censorship of pro-Israel speakers.
People (4)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck Anderson | President ACLU Chapter, Orange County; Chair, The Peace and Freedom Party |
Signatory of a letter criticizing the prosecution of students; described as part of a 'hard left anti-Israel group'.
|
| Hector Villagro | Incoming Executive Director, ACLU of Southern California |
Signatory of the letter; criticized for supporting censorship and justifying his signature.
|
| Dean Chemerinsky | Dean (likely UC Irvine Law) |
Condemned the students' behavior but opposed criminal prosecution.
|
| Ambassador Oren | Speaker / Ambassador |
The speaker whose event was disrupted by students.
|
Organizations (6)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU |
American Civil Liberties Union; referenced regarding policy on free speech and hecklers.
|
|
| ACLU of Southern California |
Organization Hector Villagro leads.
|
|
| Muslim Union |
Student group identified as the 'censoring' students involved in the disruption.
|
|
| The Peace and Freedom Party, Orange County |
Chaired by Chuck Anderson.
|
|
| Israeli Army |
Mentioned in context of other Israeli students who were silenced.
|
|
| House Oversight Committee |
Implied by the footer stamp 'HOUSE_OVERSIGHT'.
|
Timeline (2 events)
Prior to 2012-04-02
Locations (3)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Location of the incident (likely UC Irvine).
|
|
|
Location of the ACLU chapter and where the DA's action applies.
|
|
|
Region of the ACLU branch mentioned.
|
Relationships (2)
Both listed as signatories of the letter discussed in the text.
Chemerinsky commented on the disruption of Oren's speech.
Key Quotes (4)
"The ACLU policy has always been to oppose concerted efforts to prevent speakers from delivering their remarks"Source
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Quote #1
"The students' behavior was wrong and deserves punishment. There is no basis for the claim that the disruptive students were just exercising their First Amendment rights."Source
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Quote #2
"Otherwise, any speaker could be silenced by a heckler's veto."Source
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Quote #3
"The district attorney's action will undoubtedly intimidate students in Orange County and across the state and discourage them from engaging in any controversial speech or protest for fear of criminal charges."Source
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Quote #4
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (2,841 characters)
4.2.12
WC: 191694
WC: 191694
in the marketplace of ideas. The ACLU policy has always been to oppose concerted efforts to
prevent speakers from delivering their remarks, as evidenced by the brief filed in its name in the
Franklin case. While supporting sporadic heckling and jeering that merely demonstrates
opposition to the content of the remarks, the ACLU has always condemned type set of concerted
efforts to silence invited speakers that occurred at Irvine.
prevent speakers from delivering their remarks, as evidenced by the brief filed in its name in the
Franklin case. While supporting sporadic heckling and jeering that merely demonstrates
opposition to the content of the remarks, the ACLU has always condemned type set of concerted
efforts to silence invited speakers that occurred at Irvine.
Yet signatories of the letter -- which never once criticizes the censoring Muslim Union students
while condemning those who wanted to hear the speaker -- include "Chuck Anderson," who
identified himself as President ACLU Chapter, Orange County and Chair, The Peace and Freedom
Party, Orange County;" (a hard left anti-Israel group), and "Hector Villagro," who identified
himself as "Incoming Executive Director, ACLU of Southern California."
while condemning those who wanted to hear the speaker -- include "Chuck Anderson," who
identified himself as President ACLU Chapter, Orange County and Chair, The Peace and Freedom
Party, Orange County;" (a hard left anti-Israel group), and "Hector Villagro," who identified
himself as "Incoming Executive Director, ACLU of Southern California."
Dean Chemerinsky, while opposing criminal prosecution, made a point to condemn the censoring
students:
students:
"The students' behavior was wrong and deserves punishment. There is no basis for the
claim that the disruptive students were just exercising their First Amendment rights. There
is no constitutional right to disrupt an event and keep a speaker from being heard.
Otherwise, any speaker could be silenced by a heckler's veto. The Muslim students could
have expressed their message in many other ways: picketing or handing out leaflets
outside the auditorium where Ambassador Oren was speaking, making statements during
the question and answer period, holding their own events on campus."
claim that the disruptive students were just exercising their First Amendment rights. There
is no constitutional right to disrupt an event and keep a speaker from being heard.
Otherwise, any speaker could be silenced by a heckler's veto. The Muslim students could
have expressed their message in many other ways: picketing or handing out leaflets
outside the auditorium where Ambassador Oren was speaking, making statements during
the question and answer period, holding their own events on campus."
The ACLU leaders, on the other hand, seemed to justify the actions of the censoring students
while limiting their condemnation to the pro-Israel students who wanted to hear the speaker.
while limiting their condemnation to the pro-Israel students who wanted to hear the speaker.
After being criticized for supporting censorship, Villagro sought to justify his signing the letter by
the following "logic:"
the following "logic:"
"The district attorney's action will undoubtedly intimidate students in Orange County and
across the state and discourage them from engaging in any controversial speech or protest
for fear of criminal charges."
across the state and discourage them from engaging in any controversial speech or protest
for fear of criminal charges."
The opposite is true. If these students had been let off with a slap on the wrist from the
University, that would encourage other students around the nation and the world to continue with
the efforts to prevent pro-Israel speakers from delivering their speeches. Indeed, even after these
students were disciplined, other students tried to shut down several Israeli students, who had
served in the Israeli Army, from recounting their experiences. Had the school administered
appropriate discipline, I could understand an argument against piling on with a misdemeanor
prosecution, but the red badge of courage given to them by the college only served to encourage
repetition of their censorial conduct.
University, that would encourage other students around the nation and the world to continue with
the efforts to prevent pro-Israel speakers from delivering their speeches. Indeed, even after these
students were disciplined, other students tried to shut down several Israeli students, who had
served in the Israeli Army, from recounting their experiences. Had the school administered
appropriate discipline, I could understand an argument against piling on with a misdemeanor
prosecution, but the red badge of courage given to them by the college only served to encourage
repetition of their censorial conduct.
137
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017224
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