UNM will not tolerate acts of racism or xenophobia

UNM Daily Lobo ^ | 9/19/07 | Rita Martinez-Purson, Cheo Torres

[Peter R. Lynch]

Editor,

We wish to respond to the recent incident involving the desecration of the Mexican national flag that was raised Friday on the south side of Scholes Hall.

The incident is still being investigated, but what we do know at this point is that after a ceremony celebrating the Mexican independence day - Dieciseis de Septiembre - the flag that was raised during the celebration was subsequently taken down and, as we understand it, ripped to shreds.

We understand that a suspect has been apprehended by the police, but the investigation is still ongoing at this time. We want it to be understood that the flag desecration is abhorrent to President David Schmidly and everyone in the administration.

In light of incidents that have taken place in the past several days involving students being targeted because of their race or nationality, we want it to be known that UNM will not tolerate acts of racism and xenophobia. These incidents will be answered with disciplinary and/or legal action against the responsible individuals. The person who perpetrated this despicable act will answer for it.

We wish to offer apologies on behalf of UNM to the Mexican Consul to New Mexico, Juan Manuel Solano; to the Mexican Student Association; to all Mexican nationals who have been affected by this deplorable act; and to anyone else who has been adversely affected by this incident. Please know we are doing everything in our power to make sure this act will be sternly

addressed.

Rita Martinez-Purson

Interim Vice President,

Institutional Diversity

Cheo Torres

Vice President

for Student Affairs

[LegendHasIt]

I’m only a little surprised, but very upset to hear this of one of my alma maters.

Even before Richardson started loading the administration there with his political cronies, UNM in general was a bit too ‘hispano-centric’, so it doesn’t come as a big shock that this happened.

Too bad I haven’t been donating to the UNM foundations etc......

So I could stop, after hearing this.

Good Luck Peter, and thanks for your service; while in Uniform and for this latest.

You should see that the Tancredo and Hunter campaigns get to hear your story first hand. Might get you a consulting job with one of them.

[Pharmboy]

Welcome, friend, and thank you for your service. As Sean would say “You’re a great American.”

[archy]

Dear Peter Ryan. Thank you for your effort; I too am a veteran. In the event any retaliatrory acts are taken against you, please let me know, per following:

In light of incidents that have taken place in the past several days involving students being targeted because of their race or nationality, we want it to be known that UNM will not tolerate acts of racism and xenophobia. These incidents will be answered with disciplinary and/or legal action against the responsible individuals. The person who perpetrated this despicable act will answer for it.

United States Constitution; Amendment I:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

United States Code, U.S. Criminal Code, Title 18, §ection 241:
Conspiracy against rights

If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same; or If two or more persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the premises of another, with intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege so secured—
They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, they shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.

United States Code, U.S. Criminal Code, Title 18, §ection 242:
Deprivation of rights under color of law:

Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or to different punishments, pains, or penalties, on account of such person being an alien, or by reason of his color, or race, than are prescribed for the punishment of citizens, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.

Welcome to Free Republic, my FRiend....

[archy]

You should see that the Tancredo and Hunter campaigns get to hear your story first hand. Might get you a consulting job with one of them.

World Net Daily has it. That ought to be a nice start.

[archy]

Heads up, folks. We have a patriot on board.

CWII ping.

Concur. Action this day.

[FierceDraka]

LOLZ!

"Whaaa whaaa whaaa! Xenophobia! Whaaa whaaa whaaa! Whaaa whaaa whaaa! Racism!"

Seems to me that the individual in question (and their fellow travellers in the race pimp business) have never heard of the fable of the boy who cried wolf. Cry "wolf!" enough times when there is no wolf, and you will eventually be ignored. Unless the ACLU, advocate lawyers, or biased judges are involved, that is

Also, consider this:

People all over the world burn American flags all the time without sanction, but it's time to call out the PC piggies when a foreign flag gets shredded (as opposed to burned) over here?

"Oh, boo-hoo! Someone wasn't sensitive! How dare an American citizen defile the flag of a nation that is using its poor as an invasion force! Off with his head!"

This shiat's getting to the point of absurdity now.

[FierceDraka]

Verily, your vivacious verse does verify my own vision of the vicious and voracious violations of our very sovereignty.

For you, a verse of old:

Remember remember the fifth of November
The gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot...

[FierceDraka]

[trumandogz]

According to United States Code (Federal Law): "The flag should be displayed on all days especially on… Constitution Day, September 17…."

If they used the word "Must" instead of "Should" you may have a stronger case. But, the word used in should which does not force any one or institution to fly the Stars & Strips.

Finally, my guess is that they are not going to get you for 'flag desecration' but rather theft of private property, unless somehow you can prove that you were the owner of the Mexican Flag.

[Peter R. Lynch]

:) the "V" referance is a HUGE complement! Thanks! WOW! I was very close to wearing a mask on TV... Also they don't know it yet but there are TWO more KEY points on this I have kept in reserve. If I kept my mouth shut about Constitution day for 8 days, what could I have in reserve?

[trumandogz]

I think you pinged the wrong person.

Please see 149 for comment.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the link and response.

[Grampa Dave]

Below is a great link re how an Army Vet reacted to the flying of the Mexican flag over the American flag.

http://www.krnv.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=1800823&h1=Mexican%20Flag%20Flown%20Illegally%20Over%20Local%20Business&vt1=v&at1=Video%20Player&d1=213867&LaunchPageAdTag=Video%20Player&activePane=info&playerVersion=1&hostPageUrl=http%3A//www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D7156726&rnd=61214036

The bastards, who are trying persecute you, had best back off before they ignite a Civil War II.

[oblomov]

Thank you for the explanation. I always wondered why my relatives from NM referred to Hispanics in NM as “the Spanish”.

[NurdlyPeon]

Welcome to FR, brother. We are proud to have you here.

[sweet_diane]

"Whether the vandalism was racially motivated or not, it was offensive, especially to the Hispanic community, Martinez-Purson said.
“There’s still an impact that has to be dealt with,” she said. “He did insult them. His thoughtless behavior had consequences.”

Whether leaving the Mexican flag without the American flag was an oversight or not, it was offensive, especially to the American Patriot community. It was an insult and that thoughtless behavior had consequences.

[freema]

The University won’t tolerate that kind of behavior, President David Schmidly said.

“It’s inexcusable to desecrate a flag,” he said. “I’m not going to be very pleasant to deal with on this issue.”

I certainly hope Schmidly was referring to the abuse of the US flag. He'd be really stupid if he wasn't.

[Marine_Uncle]

Good catch. With that. I guess I shall retire. Been sitting all day catching up with CSPAN broadcasts etc.. Got to crawl back to the pit tommorow. Have a great upcoming day.

[freema]

Thanks : ) Sleep tight, sweetpea.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Thanks again for standing up for America.