Free Speech or Free Hate area?

By Kelsey Reichmann
Editor-in-Chief

Vocal conflict erupted Thursday near the LSU and NSM building as a group of students engaged in a heated yelling match with a man spewing homophobic and sexist views he called “the word of Jesus.”

“I believe that this campus and you students associated with it are idolatrous,” said the man, who said he wanted to be identified only by Christian. “I am calling on you to repent you sins.”

Students responded loudly, sometimes screaming back at him with their disagreement with his statements. At least one female student was reduced to tears by his words.

“We were trying to argue with him saying that what you believe is wrong because there’s supposed to be equality,” said Jaclyn Garcia, psychology major. “He said that equality is wrong because men are superior than women.”

Another student, Edwardo Renteria, graphic design major, said he does “air preaching” just like Christian.

However, Renteria said that Christian’s preaching was more about ranting and arrogance than speaking the gospel.

“It seems like he is purposely offending people,” said Renteria. “He is doing more harm than good.”

Three police officers were at the scene to make sure no violence ensued, but because he was in an area established by CSUDH as a free expression area, and he was breaking no laws, he was free to speak.

The campus’ Free Expression area is located on the west side of the LSU, adjacent to the University Sculpture Garden. It is available for speeches and demonstrations between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. It can also be used by individuals not associated with the campus for speaking, demonstrating and other forms of expression, but a permit is required from the facilities scheduling office in Welch Hall.

While it was not clear whether Christian had a permit, a spokeperson for the University Police said that as long as his words, and the responses they elicited, stayed verbal and didn’t cross into physical confrontation, all the police could do is stand and make sure “the peace was kept.”

“As long as he didn’t do anything wrong, he was within his First Amendment rights,” the spokesperson said.

Many students acknowledged that while they believe Christian had a First Amendment right to discuss his beliefs, they felt he was going too far.

“I don’t agree with free hate,” said Kelsey Tut, psychology major.