More Speech-stiflers at UNC-Chapel Hill

By Michelle Malkin • April 22, 2009 10:47 PM No, they haven’t learned.

And yes, it is time for UNC-Chapel Hill administrators to turn the mirror on themselves and ask how they fostered this pathetic climate of intolerance. After driving Tom Tancredo off campus, student mobsters again attempted to shut down a pro-immigration enforcement advocate, Rep. Virgil Goode. He was to speak on the suppression of free speech in the immigration debate, and also try to finish Tancredo’s talk on illegal immigration and the DREAM Act that was stifled by window-smashing, tantrum-throwing student thugs.

Goode prevailed, but not before six disruptors were arrested and the audience was subjected to profanity. Via the Daily Tarheel:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill police arrested six people tonight (April 22) on charges of disorderly conduct during an appearance by Virgil Goode, a former Virginia Congressman, sponsored by an officially recognized student group, Youth for Western Civilization.

Goode spoke to a Frank Porter Graham Student Union audience of about 150 people and took questions from audience members for about 90 minutes. Some audience members jeered and heckled when the speech started. One small group walked out shortly after it began. Some set off personal body alarms that had to be located and turned off by police. Two others unfurled a banner with a profane statement. Goode continued speaking throughout.

Winston Crisp, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, warned the audience a few minutes into the speech that disruptive behavior would not be tolerated. Officers began taking protesters out one or two at a time during the course of the event as the behavior escalated. Police reported no violence or vandalism.

Chancellor Holden Thorp issued the following statement:

“The speaker tonight was able to express his views and have a give-and-take with his audience. I regret that six protesters had to be arrested, but they gave us no choice. They ignored our warnings, and their disruptive behavior was completely at odds with what we expect at Carolina. I want everyone to know that these six people do not represent what Carolina stands for when it comes to freedom of expression.â€