Thread: LULAC says NM student racist for tearing down Mexican flag

LULAC wants inquiry into Mexican flag incident
By The Associated Press
Article Launched: 10/04/2007 06:48:02 AM MDT

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico League of United Latin American Citizens has asked state and federal officials to investigate a University of New Mexico student who is accused of tearing down a Mexican flag.

Peter Lynch, 30, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of criminal damage to property after tearing up a Mexican flag on campus last month. He has admitted tearing down the flag but said he was acting out of patriotism because the Mexican flag wasn't accompanied by an American flag.

"This was a hate crime that can no way be hidden under the color of patriotic," said John Moya, president of the Albuquerque LULAC Council.

Lynch said those who say he acted out of hate are "trying to make themselves out to be the victims, when in fact the American flag was the victim."

The incident stemmed from miscommunication. The Mexican flag, put up for Mexican Independence Day, was never supposed to be left flying by itself. When the Army ROTC went to retire the U.S. and state flags on the evening of Sept. 14, they left the Mexican flag because they thought its owners would take it down. That didn't happen.

Army ROTC students who were supposed to raise the U.S. and state flags on the following Monday forgot to do so.

Lynch, an Air Force veteran, complained to university officials. When nothing was done, he pulled down the flag, ripped it apart and handed it over to the Air Force ROTC office.

Campus police later charged Lynch with misdemeanor criminal damage to property. If convicted, he could face up to six months in jail and up to a $500 fine.

Veterans and others have defended Lynch's actions as protecting the flag, not an act of racism.

Lynch, whose jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 19, also is accused by the student group El Centro de la Raza of using racial slurs against Mexicans. Someone identified as Peter Lynch called Mexicans "wetbacks" on an Internet posting in July.

Lynch's attorney, Tony D'Amato, has denied that his client has made any racist comments.

"If there's any message about this case, it's that it is only about the American flag," D'Amato said after Wednesday's arraignment.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/latest/ci_7081623

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This was a hate crime that can no way be hidden under the color of patriotic," said John Moya, president of the Albuquerque LULAC Council.

What? Who the hell do these people think they are? They can burn our flag, fly it upside down IN OUR COUNTRY but taking down the Messyhole flag flying above the American flag in AMERICA is a hate crime?

"Racist" is a new word they use to fight for illegal illigration rights in this country.

I do not think it is right for any flag other than the American flag should be flown in this country. Even when celebrating you culture it should not be flown if you are a citizen of his country.

My family would never consider flying an African flag in this country for any reason. They have colors that represent Afro-American culture and many are hesitant to wear them during Black History month.
They all think Kwanzi is rediculous and only a money making scheme and never take part.

FLAGS OF OTHER COUNTRY SHOULD ONLY BE FLOWN OTHER COUNTRIES.

The student who took down that flag make me proud to be American.
We have to keep sending theses messages.

"Mexican" is a nationality, not a race--a Mexican is a person of any race who has Mexican citizenship. The Mexican flag represents Mexico, a foreign country. There are whites, blacks, browns, Asians, and Muslims in Mexico. The Mexican flag does not represent a race, it represents a nationality like the American flag represents a nation which is comprised of different ethnic backgrounds and races. It is absurd to think otherwise and they are really grasping at straws and need to be told to pound sand. Mexico IS NOT A RACE IT IS A NATION! MEXICANS ARE NOT A RACE, THEY ARE A NATIONALITY. PERIOD. And flying the flag of another nation without also displaying the flag of THIS nation is disrespectful at the least. It's time they be told this and this PC nonsense stopped.

"This was a hate crime that can no way be hidden under the color of patriotic," said John Moya, president of the Albuquerque LULAC Council.

Give up, Mister. You're so wrong it isn't even funny. Your loyalty is not with the USA. That's MORE than obvious.

The Mexican flag belongs flying in Mexico, not on our soil. The American people are adamant about this.

If George Bush woke up one morning and found the Irainain flag flying by its lonsome in D.C., don't you think he would order it torn down? Would he then be called a racist? Here's a part of the U.S. Flag code that has been changed to water down our patriotism:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

I have a neighbor flying a Mexican flag and no US flag. Is this a violation of the flag code?

The Flag Code (see below) requires that the US flag be flown on federal institutions, including public schools. It does not require you to fly the US flag and it does not forbid you from displaying a foreign flag. For example, someone with Irish heritage may proudly fly an Irish flag and is not required to fly the US flag. In the early 1900s there was hostility when the German flag was flown in the US, prompting Theodore Roosevelt to state that we had one flag, and one language. We are again revisiting tensions, this time it is the Mexican flag. We understand the emotional tensions of the situation, however, the Flag Code (see below) does not support those who wish to forbid the flying of the Mexican flag within our borders without also flying the US flag.

It USED to be that the American Flag was to be present AND FLOWN HIGHER when another national flag of a foreign nation was flying. I would like to know when this changed and why.

Lynch, whose jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 19, also is accused by the student group El Centro de la Raza of using racial slurs against Mexicans. Someone identified as Peter Lynch... Internet posting in July.

Accused of what? Hurting some feelings, which isn't a crime or for using free speech!

Is it only free speech when you want to display pornography or x rated movies or say something vulgar, sexual and disgusting? I don't think so! Don't like Mr. Lynch's alleged racism, then turn him off. Don't go around him. Don't participate in his way of thinking. Don't listen to his free speech. You can't shut him up so you are just going to have to quit listening. Control yourself and your behavior.

Alleged accusations. Until LULAC can prove that it was Lynch on MySpace, I think they should stop injecting a potentially harmful opinion about him. Might get them sued. Hopefully, he did not do it and will be exonerated of the accusations but the truth of the matter is that being a racist is not against the law. Publicly living your life as one isn't either. Freedom of expression. Word of warning for those that think it's OK to smear him. That could be a very costly mistake.

Dixie

When the Illegal alien supporters had a march and draged Old Glory in the gutter in front of TV cameras and the police that did not result in an arrest.

Another case of LaRaza logic : Mercy for Mexicans, Justice for Americans

I'm a US Marine combat vet and I support Mr. Lynch and his actions!

Originally Posted by Rockfish

If George Bush woke up one morning and found the Irainain flag flying by its lonsome in D.C., don't you think he would order it torn down? Would he then be called a racist? Here's a part of the U.S. Flag code that has been changed to water down our patriotism:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

I have a neighbor flying a Mexican flag and no US flag. Is this a violation of the flag code?

The Flag Code (see below) requires that the US flag be flown on federal institutions, including public schools. It does not require you to fly the US flag and it does not forbid you from displaying a foreign flag. For example, someone with Irish heritage may proudly fly an Irish flag and is not required to fly the US flag. In the early 1900s there was hostility when the German flag was flown in the US, prompting Theodore Roosevelt to state that we had one flag, and one language. We are again revisiting tensions, this time it is the Mexican flag. We understand the emotional tensions of the situation, however, the Flag Code (see below) does not support those who wish to forbid the flying of the Mexican flag within our borders without also flying the US flag.

It USED to be that the American Flag was to be present AND FLOWN HIGHER when another national flag of a foreign nation was flying. I would like to know when this changed and why.

In this particular case, the Mexican flag was being flown on a taxpayer- funded PUBLIC institution (University of New Mexico). So, even if the statutes have been watered down, and would not apply to private individuals flying a foreign flag, this is a PUBLIC institution and not a private one.

At the very least, those who fly a foreign flag without an American flag above it show quite clearly where their affinity and allegiances lie and shouldn't be surprised at negative responses. I would expect the same if I were to fly Old Glory in Mexico City without also displaying a Mexican flag, particularly if I were to hoist it over one of their public universities. When you flip this around, you really see how ridiculous and out of control this situation has gotten. Since our elites obviously aren't doing anything about it, I guess it's up to the American people to express our displeasure at the blatant disrespect being shown to this country and its symbols.

In my interpretation it was appropriate for Mr. Lynch to have taken down the Mexican flag. Perhaps a more prudent course of action would have been for him to request that it be removed before taking it upon himself to do it. I think where he went wrong was destroying it. It is wrong to destroy private property. The less ammunition the other side is given, the better.