Editor,
Leftist student groups at the University of New Mexico claim that Milo Yiannopoulos’ event next Friday will lead to “physical violence and expand bias against” them in a letter to University administration, the Daily Lobo reported.
Yiannopoulos, the provocative Breitbart editor, flamboyantly criticizes political correctness, liberal politics and culture at college campuses across the United States for his “Dangerous Faggot Tour.” He also fervently defends free speech and explains how conservatives face censorship from fellow citizens, universities and the media.
Yiannopoulos’ events continuously draw large crowds of fans and protesters. Unfortunately, it has become a frequent trend where leftist groups use force and violence in an effort to censor those who have opposing views.
At UC Davis, protesters used violence to successfully coerce the student group that sponsored Yiannopoulos to shut down their event. It is apparent that leftist groups at UNM plan to do the same.
Kiva Club, MEChA, Black Student Union, Queer Student Alliance, Muslim Student Association, Dream Team, the Red Nation and Showing Up for Racial Justice fail to recognize their blatant hypocrisy.
In the letter, these student groups pledge to do everything in their power “to protect students from fascism and violence,” even if that means implementing fascist and violent tactics during their protest to shut down the event.
The Red Nation, the student group organizing the protest, vowed to “deny Milo a platform at UNM by taking the room, the stage and the mic” on the Facebook page dedicated to the protest.
This is where the hypocrisy lies. Using force and violence to censor political opponents is a tactic of real fascists.
Unlike these leftist groups, Yiannopoulos, the College Republicans and Young Americans for Liberty align closely to our nation’s value of protecting free speech, even the most controversial and offensive.
These threats and recent events at UC Davis convinced the University to suddenly slap a $3,400 security fee on the College Republicans. The University should not succumb to these threats. University administration should revoke the charter from any student group that advocates using force and violence.
Yiannopoulos has had many peaceful events during his “Dangerous Faggot Tour.” He even allows open discourse and debate during the question-and-answer portion of his events. Yiannopoulos’ event next Friday will be the same if these groups pledge to let the event occur and not use violence or force to shut it down.
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Andres Del Aguila
UNM student
