gopsdragon
01-24-03, 11:54 AM
These are a couple of California examples but by no means is this the exception on college campuses.
COLLEGE REPUBLICAN SUES UNIVERSITY PAPER
Fired conservative columnist Igor Birman filed a small claims case today with the Yolo County Superior Court against his former employer, The California Aggie and its editor-in-chief, Fitzgerald Vo, alleging breach of contract and wrongful termination. Birman's story was featured today on the Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Hume.
Birman was dismissed from his position as the sole conservative columnist at the Aggie on January 1, 2003, by Fitzgerald Vo, despite a contract lasting until the end of June 2003. In his termination notice, Vo cited Birman's "tendency to enrage members of the opposing causes" as the reason for the dismissal.
Birman's column, The Right Stuff, provided the campus community with conservative commentary, expressing strong support for the war on terrorism and invoking a lively debate on issues ranging from the Israeli-Palestinian crisis to reparations for slavery.
"When my family and I fled the former Soviet Union a decade ago, we left behind a nation where laws were systematically ignored and persecution ruled. In silencing the sole voice of dissent at the Aggie, Mr. Vo has committed the same kind of assault against the freedom of thought that my family would have faced in the USSR for speaking out against communism," Birman said, recounting his experience as an immigrant. "Mr. Vo has fired me illegally, and in this society, whose very essence is based on the rule of law, such grotesque disregard for the law should not stand," he added.
Birman is seeking damages in the amount that he would have received had his contract been allowed to run its course, in addition to court costs and miscellaneous legal fees. He said, however, that his intentions do not include personal monetary gain. "If I am fortunate enough to win this case, I will donate whatever amount I receive to the Young
Conservatives Foundation, in order to strengthen the conservative movement both at UC Davis and across California, so that conservative thought is given an opportunity to grow in this climate of general hostility," he said.
The case is Birman vs. The California Aggie, et al., C.V.CL 0353.
PRO-LIFER ARRESTED AT DAVIS!
A student at the University of California, Davis, was arrested yesterday at a pro-abortion rally for advocating that the 10th Amendment should apply to the issue of Abortion.
Charles Corrigan, a graduate student and Gulf War veteran, attended the noontime rally to present the argument that it is the individual states, not the federal government, which should have jurisdiction in deciding abortion.
"Leave the power to the states," shouted Corrigan, as he encircled the crowd of approximately 30 pro-abortion demonstrators.
UC Davis Police officers then apprehended Corrigan. He was later charged with a misdemeanor offense of disturbing the peace, and released under his own recognizance. Corrigan had to be driven to the Emergency room by his wife, as he suffered injuries during the rally by the apprehending officers.
"What happened here today is a flagrant violation of the first amendment rights of a student," said Michael Dugas, also a Graduate Student. "I can't believe the university has resorted to these police state tactics in order to silence political diversity."
The Young Conservatives Foundation captured the entire incident on video tape, which can be made available upon request.
For more information about this event or the Young Conservatives Foundation, contact Christopher Mays at 530-757-2371.
COLLEGE REPUBLICAN SUES UNIVERSITY PAPER
Fired conservative columnist Igor Birman filed a small claims case today with the Yolo County Superior Court against his former employer, The California Aggie and its editor-in-chief, Fitzgerald Vo, alleging breach of contract and wrongful termination. Birman's story was featured today on the Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Hume.
Birman was dismissed from his position as the sole conservative columnist at the Aggie on January 1, 2003, by Fitzgerald Vo, despite a contract lasting until the end of June 2003. In his termination notice, Vo cited Birman's "tendency to enrage members of the opposing causes" as the reason for the dismissal.
Birman's column, The Right Stuff, provided the campus community with conservative commentary, expressing strong support for the war on terrorism and invoking a lively debate on issues ranging from the Israeli-Palestinian crisis to reparations for slavery.
"When my family and I fled the former Soviet Union a decade ago, we left behind a nation where laws were systematically ignored and persecution ruled. In silencing the sole voice of dissent at the Aggie, Mr. Vo has committed the same kind of assault against the freedom of thought that my family would have faced in the USSR for speaking out against communism," Birman said, recounting his experience as an immigrant. "Mr. Vo has fired me illegally, and in this society, whose very essence is based on the rule of law, such grotesque disregard for the law should not stand," he added.
Birman is seeking damages in the amount that he would have received had his contract been allowed to run its course, in addition to court costs and miscellaneous legal fees. He said, however, that his intentions do not include personal monetary gain. "If I am fortunate enough to win this case, I will donate whatever amount I receive to the Young
Conservatives Foundation, in order to strengthen the conservative movement both at UC Davis and across California, so that conservative thought is given an opportunity to grow in this climate of general hostility," he said.
The case is Birman vs. The California Aggie, et al., C.V.CL 0353.
PRO-LIFER ARRESTED AT DAVIS!
A student at the University of California, Davis, was arrested yesterday at a pro-abortion rally for advocating that the 10th Amendment should apply to the issue of Abortion.
Charles Corrigan, a graduate student and Gulf War veteran, attended the noontime rally to present the argument that it is the individual states, not the federal government, which should have jurisdiction in deciding abortion.
"Leave the power to the states," shouted Corrigan, as he encircled the crowd of approximately 30 pro-abortion demonstrators.
UC Davis Police officers then apprehended Corrigan. He was later charged with a misdemeanor offense of disturbing the peace, and released under his own recognizance. Corrigan had to be driven to the Emergency room by his wife, as he suffered injuries during the rally by the apprehending officers.
"What happened here today is a flagrant violation of the first amendment rights of a student," said Michael Dugas, also a Graduate Student. "I can't believe the university has resorted to these police state tactics in order to silence political diversity."
The Young Conservatives Foundation captured the entire incident on video tape, which can be made available upon request.
For more information about this event or the Young Conservatives Foundation, contact Christopher Mays at 530-757-2371.