Posted on 05/11/2011 5:34:38 PM PDT by 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.”
I am proud of our cubs!
I am proud of our cubs!
My daughter said they should have put soap in the water balloons. The stinking hippie probably needed a bath.
“Oh to be young and have water balloons and a stinky hippy to pelt. LSU knows how to party.”
ROFLOL!!
Didn’t the article say the same dept. as Haas? Communications? Need to go back and read it again to be sure, but think that’s what it was.
just another lefty attention whore...GTF outta here Haas...your 15 minutes are up.
Anyone want to guess how soon the name “Sarah Palin” will find its way into the bammy presstitute account of this situation? His whores will be right on this, just as soon as they can remove their collective probisci from the rectum of “the poet”.
While he does have the right to free speach he DOES NOT have the right to be heard.
The thousand + students there were exercising their right to free speach alongside him ... he had the right not to listen.
I am from Texas, all my life
God Bless you LSU Tigers !
(and for those of you from elsewhere THAT means something)
Now THIS is close to the South I grew up in.
Yes, you have the right to make your little speeches and burn our flag. We, on the other hand, have the right to not listen and to kick your butt. See how well that works out?
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
My guess would be journalism. If you are a failure at everything else go for journalism - one of those vocations that doesn’t require any particular skill.
Someone should have burned a Mexican flag to see how the university would have reacted.
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