LSU American flag burning stopped before it could start

www.2theadvocate.com ^ | May 11, 2011 | Jordan Blum

[BBell]

A planned American flag burning at LSU ended before it started Wednesday when about 1,000 LSU students and other protestors forced police to intervene.

LSU graduate student Benjamin Haas had originally planned to burn an American flag at noon on the Parade Ground to promote his First Amendment rights and to support an LSU student who was arrested last week for stealing and burning a flag.

But, when Haas finally arrived to a chaotic scene, he was surrounded by a large crowd yelling obscenities and chanting, “U-S-A” and “Go to hell hippie, go to hell.”

Water balloons and bottles were thrown at him and, before Haas could speak, horse-mounted police escorted him out for his own safety to a police car on Highland Road as the crowd followed and he was driven off. He was not arrested.

Haas had received a peaceful protest permit from LSU, but he had not yet obtained a burn permit from the city-parish, according to LSU.

Haas is a communication studies graduate student from Missouri who also teaches some classes.

LSU senior Sarah Kirksey, who also is a communication studies major, purchased more than 100 American flags for the counter protest. She described Haas as “brilliant,” but misguided on this point.

“We chased him out,” Kirksey said. “He didn’t burn the flag, so it was a success.

“It’s awesome. I’m proud to say I’m an LSU Tiger,” she added.

Haas’ plans developed after LSU student Isaac Eslava was arrested last week for cutting down and burning the American flag at the LSU War Memorial on the Parade Ground.

Eslava, a native of Colombia, allegedly burned the flag early May 2 just hours after the death of Osama bin Laden.

Although Haas did not speak Wednesday, a transcript of his remarks said he wanted to defend “basic human rights and avoid putting students into the criminal justice system when it can (be) taken care of internally.”

“In the name of peace, there will be no flag burning today,” Haas’ speech stated. “This country and the flag that flies over it stands for freedom, democracy, love, peace and the ability to question our government.”

About 200 or so of the students and military veterans stuck around afterwards to recite the pledge of allegiance and sing the national anthem as part of a response protest.

New LSU Student Government President Cody Wells led that response. “We were outraged by what a student tried to do and burn a flag on our campus,” Wells said, later adding, “I’ve been so proud of what happened here today.”

Some students who protested Haas said they respected his First Amendment rights, but opposed his tactics in wanting to burn the flag.

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” said LSU senior Mac Francez.

But others were unsettled by the mob mentality that took over.

LSU associate professor of rhetoric Nathan Crick, who is in the communication studies department, said the “original motive” is irrelevant, especially after opposition spread so quickly on Facebook and Twitter.

“The real story is the rapidity and ease by which a group of otherwise intelligent, sympathetic students were transformed into an impulsive mob by the power of social media,” Crick said in an e-mail statement. “This should give us all pause.”

Marjorie Esman, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, said she was concerned that LSU Police crowd control did not even permit Haas time to speak.

“It would appear that, rather than protect the rights of the student to speak, the police protected the rights of those trying to silence him,” Esman said.

Prior to Haas’ arrival, the large crowd was hovering at Free Speech Alley when a heated argument began after LSU student Shelby Taylor of Baton Rouge spoke out in favor of Haas’ First Amendment rights, even though Taylor said she opposed burning an American flag.

There were yells directed at her of “Whore” and, “Go get your flag-burning buddy; we want him next.”

LSU student and U.S. Marine Austin Stukins told her, “I respect your rights, and I respect your right to be wrong and, I hope you will respect my right in return to tell you to shut the f--- up.”

[BBell]

Got to love the South

LSU graduate student Benjamin Haas is hit by a water balloon thrown by counter-protestors Wednesday as he attempts to read a prepared statement about why he decided not to burn an American flag at the LSU Parade Ground. Haas was escorted away by po-lice for safety reasons before he had a chance to speak. Haas had originally planned to burn an American flag to assert his First Amendment rights and in support of another LSU student who was arrested last week for cutting down and burning the American flag at the LSU War Memorial.

[izzatzo]

Way to go, Bayou Bengals!

[mark3681]

That liquid should have been yellow.

[therightliveswithus]

That is a GREAT picture... probably the first time in a little while that that lib had a wash, anyway

[izzatzo]

If you want yellow, there’s plenty of it in the good Perfessor Crick-you can tell what his color is by his comments.

[oyez]

Good for those fine LSU students. They know they have a right to protect the flag. They also have a responsibility to promote good fire safety. I can't say enough good things about those kids. The LSU Tigers are a different matter entirely.

[itsLUCKY2B]

outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paint_your_wagon]

A job well done. Great going LSU students.

It’s encouraging to see this happen with university students.

[yarddog]

Those Cajuns can be pretty vociferous.

Two Cajuns hired me for a day job back in 1965. All 3 of us worked hard all day. They bought me lunch then when the job was over, one of them paid me twice what we agreed on.

I have had a warm spot in my heart for them ever since.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

What a great picture!

Honestly, every last one of these mopes looks the same -

[Kickass Conservative]

The new Bush Doctrine, Preemptive Fire Fighting.

[TheRealDBear]

Haas and Crick seem to be confusing LSU with Berkeley.

[onevoter]

An Associate Professor states, “The real story is the rapidity and ease by which a group of otherwise intelligent, sympathetic students were transformed into an impulsive mob by the power of social media,” Crick said in an e-mail statement. “This should give us all pause.”

Wonder if this “Associate Professor” was given “pause” over the mob mentality in Madison, Wisconsin. The “professor” probably applauded that that mob’s “free speech.”

[shalom aleichem]

God Bless those LSU kids.

[BerryDingle]

Wow, something almost happened!

[EverOnward]

Nice start. Hope more of Haas’ ilk get are treated with the “respect” they deserve. These anti-American, anti-Constitution, anti-Christian bottom feeders have worn American’s patience thin over the years. The tide is turning.

[maine-iac7]

“after opposition spread so quickly on Facebook and Twitter.

“The real story is the rapidity and ease by which a group of otherwise intelligent, sympathetic students were transformed into an impulsive mob by the power of social media,” Crick said in an e-mail statement. “This should give us all pause.”

******************* Glad to know “opposition” forces can be gathered so quickly. Hope when we need to do it - the Internet won't “go down.”

[sportutegrl]

Oh to be young and have water balloons and a stinky hippy to pelt. LSU knows how to party.

[Da Coyote]

“An Associate Professor states...” (followed by normal liberal tripe).

Anyone wanna guess which department of marshmallow academic requirements this loon comes from?