Columbia U. students attack Minutemen founder during speech, page 1

Dozens of members of the International Socialist Organization at Columbia University rushed the stage and assaulted Minutemen founder Jim Gilchrist and his associate Marvin Stewart Wednesday evening. The Minutemen had been invited to speak at Columbia. Campus police stood by a few feet away and did nothing to intercede.

www.nysun.com
Thousands of New Yorkers spent their mornings yesterday clicking on a video on the Internet showing the astounding melee that was permitted to take place on Columbia University's campus Wednesday evening.The violence erupted when a crowd led by the student chapter of the International Socialist Organization rushed a stage where the founder of the Minutemen, Jim Gilchrist, tried to deliver a speech. They could see the university's own police failing to take action to defend the rights of the speaker, who was being hosted by the campus Republican club. And they had to be wondering, as we were, where is the adult supervision on Morningside Heights.

It's not that some Columbia students chose to disagree with Mr. Gilchrist — this newspaper does, too. It would have been entirely appropriate for school administrators to allow students to protest peaceably outside the lecture hall or to host a competing event. The university's willingness to allow this event to devolve into pandemonium, however, speaks volumes about its commitment to fostering open debate. The video of the event shows campus police officers — paid for by the Columbia College Republicans — standing by just feet away as students overturned tables and chairs onstage and proceeded to attack Mr. Gilchrist and his fellow Minuteman, Marvin Stewart.

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There are videos of the melee on the internet, including on Fox News' site. This type of behavior is outrageous and should not be tolerated. The students have every right to protest, but Mr. Gilchrist had only begun to speak when the crowd rushed the stage, overturning furniture, screaming loudly, and assaulting Gilchrist and his associate.

Forget respecting the First Amendment rights of these speakers. Forget the fact that these men were invited by a Columbia U. group. These students aren't mature enough to be in college. They belong on the playground with other unruly 6 year olds. They need a timeout - as in expulsion.

Related News Links:
libertypost.org
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