Recently, the College Republicans have been the victims of lies and slander perpetrated by the Associated Students Inc. board and other organizations. A response to these allegations is necessary.

On Oct.17 our group held an anti-terrorism rally where we stood on the flags of Hezbollah and Hamas, two terrorist organizations. This action created a strong reaction from some students and several members of the General Union of Palestinian Students. The GUPS argued that the name of Allah, which is inscribed on the Hamas and Hezbollah flags, was sacred and that we were committing a sacrilege.

Stepping on the flags of Hezbollah and Hamas is no more “hate speech” against Islam than stepping on the swastika-emblazoned flag of Nazi Germany would be to Buddhism or Hinduism, who view the swastika as a symbol of good fortune or well-being. Nor would it be any more “hate speech” than stepping on the cross-emblazoned flag of the Ku Klux Klan. Our disgust with Hezbollah and Hamas is based on their vile actions as organizations and not their religious affiliation. Furthermore, Brian Gallagher’s accusation that we tried to incite violence is false. The only threats of violence were made by one deranged student. The College Republicans did everything to appease the heated situation, including allowing modifications to the flags in order to remove the name of Allah, and finally by giving the angered students the Hamas flag. The police never intervened

Now the College Republicans must face a hearing made up of two members of ASI, staff members and an administrator. In what can only be described as an idiotic move, the ASI board, including Joicy Serrano and Faith Cushenberry, unanimously passed a resolution condemning our actions. Kimberly Castillo, who chairs the committee that wrote the initial draft of the ASI resolution, has even had the audacity to say she wants to “wait for due process,” when in fact the ASI members have already made up their minds by endorsing this resolution. This hearing is nothing but a kangaroo court trial.

The attacks against us have nothing to do with what we did at this rally. The fringe radicals and terrorist sympathizers on the ASI board, particularly President Fowler who has publicly supported Hezbollah, merely see this as another chance to try to silence our organization. In 2004, Fowler signed a petition to have our group removed from campus following the presidential election in which a violent mob surrounded us, vandalized our property and harassed our members.

ASI’s actions will only strengthen our resolve. Imposing sanctions for engaging in free speech sets a dangerous precedent for all student organizations. We did not engage in “hate speech,” incite violence or disrupt any campus events. We stated our opinion through words and symbolism and we will not apologize for it. We demand that ASI retract its resolution and ask all student organizations who believe ASI is abusing its power to stand with us.