Commentary-- Chasing YAF members unacceptable

It saddens us at YAFWatch to report that protestors were involved in chasing four YAF members away from the Vet Med Building last night following the speech of Nick Griffin. Yes, Nick Griffin and his views were vile. Yes, YAF was wrong to bring this racist speaker to campus. And Yes, protesting, nonviolently to express dissent is great, acceptable and important.



It was reported on MichiganMessenger.com that this incident happened and both Philip Rodney Moon and Todd Heywood witnessed the event. The "mob" that Mr. Bristow refers to in his press release was no more than 8 people. In addition, we saw no baseball bats, or sticks. Only one person with a cane. The report of baseball bats was made by Tyler Whitney to MSU Police, and Todd Heywood witnessed that statement. There was no evidence to support that claim, however, this does not minimize the reality of the assault.


But when protestors take it upon themselves to go from challenging ideas with other ideas by physically intimidating and harassing others, a line has been crossed. The answer to hate speech is not less speech, it is always more speech. However, violence has no role in the dialogue of dissent. It is not protected, and it makes those who perpetrate it no better than those who expouse hate filled venom.





In fact, we argue that when people resort to violence it shows they are afraid of ideas. As a result, they foster a community created on violent oppression, rather than open dialogue. We at YAFWatch condemn the actions of those persons who chased the four YAF members into the parking ramp, with shouts of "Get them!"





That one act last night, greatly reduced a significant and powerful dialogue of dissent that has begun on the campus of Michigan State University. This one act, by a rogue group of persons, overshadowed and cast a dark cloud over an important movement.





We urge further organizers to remember nonviolence is key to the process of confronting and challenging hate groups and hate speech. Dissent does not require violence or intimidation tactics. Those who believe they must use violence to achieve the change desired are no better than the hate ideology YAF Watch was created to oppose.





We call on organizers to condemn the actions of this small band of vigilantes, and to become more vigilant in their work to prevent these individuals from pursuing their agendas of violence during peaceful dissent.



YAF Watch is prepared to assist law enforcement in their investigation.