The Pacifica Forum has been on campus for many years, bringing in speakers to regularly talk against a “Jewish conspiracy,” against an immigrant invasion, different members targeting racial minorities, feminists, Jews, Muslims and homosexuals. Their language and presentations were described by the previous University President Dave Frohnmayer as “gutter bigotry.” While they have the right to speak and say as they please, and nobody disputes this, we as students and members of the community have the right to call them out on their hate speech. We are not protesting their right to speak; we will protest the content of that speech, which even conservative Frohnmayer agreed deserved “summary censure.”
In December, the Forum hosed a presentation by Jimmy Marr, which amounted to a “pro-Nazi rally” speaker. The Forum has invited Marr to come back and speak. He has in turn invited members of the National Socialist Movement (formerly American Nazi Party). While this presentation may not represent every member of Pacifica Forum, it will be a platform for individuals to spread pro-Nazi propaganda.
We feel this community can do better. Our community should not be absent while hate spreads. The forum gets the room for free, but should pay the same as everyone else. We will be present on Friday at 5 p.m. in front of Agate Hall, with prayer, a teach-in and music. We will not be silent while others are sieg heiling around us.
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