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Clinton, New York: College Cancels Speech by Controversial Professor
February 04, 2005
2/10/05 UPDATE University of Colorado withdrew its cancellation of the speech yesterday, and Prof. Churchill appeared as planned to a “loud and orderly” crowd.
2/8/05 UPDATE: Professor Churchill’s own school, University of Colorado, canceled a speech by Churchill scheduled for today. The student group that organized the speech is suing the school, challenging the cancellation."We feel that this is an extreme violation of our free-speech rights,” said student group member Mo Wells.
They have hired attorney David Lane, who said in an interview with a Denver television station, “The university is obligated to provide security for Ward Churchill. They simply can’t put a gag in his mouth by telling him, ‘Well, there are these violent wackos out there that want to kill you so we’re not going to let you give your speech.”
Story Continued...
PEN USA condemns the actions of those who have threatened Colorado Professor Ward Churchill for exercising his freedom of speech with his controversial statement about the 9/11 victims and calls on Hamilton College to rethink the cancellation of his speech there - requesting that they instead reschedule - and grant his right to free speech so that he can explain the comments that made the country so angry.
Professor Ward Churchill of University of Colorado, Boulder has been made infamous lately due to his essay which referred to the victims in the twin towers as “little Eichmanns” - in reference to Adolf Eichmann, who helped organize the Nazi plans to exterminate Jews from Europe. He also made comments that suggested the victims of 9/11, while civilians, were not “innocent” victims. Due to this, he has received more than 100 death threats and warnings of violence.
Hamilton College planned to have the professor speak at their campus, and had invited him before the essay was brought to light. Joan Hinde Stewart, president of the college, denounced his comments but upheld the invitation on First Amendment principles.
Throughout the rage, while pledges were canceled and prospective students withdrew applications or refused to enroll, Stewart stuck by her principles, allowing Professor Churchill a chance to explain the fiery words in his essay. While originally offered $3,500 to speak, Churchill offered to come for free.
However, after 6,000 email messages full of fury and menace - and a caller who even threatened to bring a gun to campus - Hamilton College finally gave in and canceled the event. The decision came after campus security said even additional police officers could not guarantee everyone’s safety.
“Our reaction to repellent [comments] is how we test the right to free speech. We did our best to protect the principles and the values that we believe in - the right to speak, to study, to teach freely - but the point came that I simply felt that this threat was too large for us to handle,” said Stewart.
PEN USA feels this panel was sabotaged by those who would only have free speech apply to a certain few. The very foundations of the First Amendment rest on the idea that all speech be allowed, with exceptions only for specific threats, and not exceptions for unpopular opinions. The very real threat of violence against the Professor and Hamilton College is undermining the power of the First Amendment and has become - in a sense - a Heckler’s Veto.
With a Heckler’s Veto, an opponent of a speaker can drown out free speech. Death threats are the most intimidating form of a Heckler’s Veto
PEN USA urges Stewart not to give into the “hecklers” and reschedule Prof. Churchill’s speech after some of the initial controversy has died down. He should not be denied his chance to speak.
Stephen Rohde, lawyer specializing in First Amendment issues and vice president of PEN USA’s Freedom to Write domestic program, said “It is very dangerous when the ‘mob’ mentality acting through threats of death and violence can suppress free speech. This was never about whether the college agreed with Prof. Churchill. This was about upholding academic freedom in a university setting where ideas, even hateful ideas, can be discussed, examined, accepted and rejected. President Stewart did an admirable job in trying to uphold those core values until she was forced to succumb to despicable threats. As soon as possible, she should renew the invitation and show that the First Amendment is alive and well on her campus.”
Recommended Action:
Write President Stewart, urging her to reschedule Professor Churchill:
Joan Hinde Stewart
Office of the President
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY 13323
(315) 859-4105