Hit Columbia University's Racism

NEW YORK CITY, October 26 -- Over 50 Columbia University students, alumni and others protested the appearance of racist Columbia alumnus, David Horowitz. His presence followed a week of anti-Muslim rhetoric and speakers, hosted by the College Republicans -- "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" (IFAW).

It also followed weeks of hate crimes, including a noose hanging, swastika graffiti and a message threatening Muslims left in one building stating "AMERICA is for WHITE EUROPEANS." Numerous organizations planned several events throughout the week, including the main protest before Horowitz's speech, joined by a number of Muslim students and a PLP member. The Muslim Student Association didn't participate, believing the protest would "legitimize" Horowitz's message.

Students gathered in the center of the campus to listen to various speakers denounce Horowitz. A PLP member who spoke linked this anti-racist struggle to the fight against Columbia's expansion, racist research and war funding. He said Horowitz represents one wing of the ruling class that wants to use racist terror to whip up support for the war, but was also dangerous because he obscured the danger posed by the rulers' liberal wing that wants to build nationalist and patriotic loyalty to the bosses.

Another PL'er received a big round of applause when stating he was there from City College along with other students outside Columbia who stood in solidarity with them. He also urged the crowd to check out the latest issue of CHALLENGE containing an article about the noose-hanging at Teacher's College.

Many important political points arose during the organizing weeks, including the necessity to place IFAW within the broader racist attacks occurring recently at Columbia. It was also stated that IFAW was an attack on ALL students, not just Muslims; therefore it required a united, multi-racial response.

There was a debate on how best to confront racist, ruling-class mouthpieces like Horowitz. PLP and many Muslim students favored direct action to shut down all the IFAW's events. Others felt this would give Horowitz "what he wanted" and create "bad publicity." Agreement was reached to protest outside the event, not inside.

When Horowitz was scheduled to speak the crowd moved to the student center. The cops barred many trying to enter "because they were not Columbia students." The handful of Columbia students who did gain entry were forced out because they "did not have invitations"!

The crowd outside continued rallying and chanting, despite the rain and cold weather. PLP'ers leafleted, sold CHALLENGE and made some contacts and new friends. In the end Horowitz's racist pro-American garbage was not heard by many people because the College Republicans' poorly-advertised RSVP system for the event effectively shut out not only protesters but a much broader audience.

Now we will follow up our contacts as well as other students involved in organizing the event so that we can build a more sustained movement to fight not only racism at Columbia, but the racism of Columbia.