Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project, spoke Tuesday at the Beach Auditorium before a limited audience, which shrunk to half capacity following a call to walk out on the guest speaker.
Enrique Morones, founder of the San Diego County-based Border Angels humanitarian group, initiated the walkout in his opening statement. Both he and Gilchrist were invited to participate in an immigration debate forum organized by the Conservative Student Union.
“What prompted me to leave is what students had said,” Morones told Daily Forty-Niner reporters. “The student body has predominantly told me that they don’t want to hear [Gilchrist] speak, so they asked me to walk out.
“I said this is your school. If you want me to debate him, I will. But if you want me to walk out, I have got too much respect for the wishes of the majority of the students.”
The auditorium was initially filled to maximum capacity at 200 students, but was reduced by about half following the walkout. That number dwindled to less than 50 by the end of Gilchrist’s presentation. Students were not allowed to re-enter the auditorium once they had left, and empty seats were not re-filled.
Jason Aula, the CSU president, said, “I think the walkout was cowardly. The main purpose of coming to the event was [for people] to be educated.”
Gilchrist, who donned a bulletproof vest for the debate, remained to take questions from the audience for over an hour of the two-hour allotment. He removed the vest in his opening statement, quoting Samuel Adams: “I’d rather live free or die.”
Gilchrist used the debate time to address issues on illegal immigration and international policy.
“I’m glad they left, because they allowed me to speak to an audience who listened,” Gilchrist said.
“What I’m tying to do is get my students to be active in their education,” said Jose Moreno, a professor from the Chicano/Latino studies department. “My students are being active participants by coming here.”
“I think [leaving] showed solidarity,” said Claribel Valdovinos, a student who walked out. “I was willing to hear him out, but he showed me he was going to be really childish. I think instead of having a bulletproof vest he should have knowledge as his protection, which I don’t think he really has, unfortunately.”
Morones left to join protesters outside, who were organized by La Raza and the Campus Coalition Against Hate, a newly formed coalition of student groups and professors opposing Gilchrist’s visit. The student rallies protested that the forum gave an unfair platform for the Minuteman Project and its agenda, rather than provide Gilchrist and Morones equal standing.
“[Organizers] didn’t stick to the rules of engagement,” Morones said. “The moderator was a Minuteman.”
Richard MacLean, who moderated the event, is the webmaster for the website Operation: Generation, an Orange County-based chapter of the Minuteman Project that is set to launch early next year.
Gilchrist fought off accusations of racism throughout the question-and-answer session, which have been used against him throughout the Minuteman Project campaign. He referred the audience to his own advisers and supporters in the audience, who he noted were of African descent.
Among them was Ted Hayes, an African-American activist and supporter of the Minuteman Project who has gained notoriety for his criticisms of illegal immigration. Hayes also accepted an invitation from the CSU to speak on campus later this month to address the effects of illegal immigration on the civil rights of African-Americans.
Gilchrist concluded by opening the forum to students, singling out Hispanic audience member Karla Torres for her thoughts.
“It was a little weird,” said Torres, an undeclared freshman. “I’ve never heard him talk before and I figured I would see what he was all about.”
Jason Aula, president of the CSU, said Gilchrist will return with Hayes on Nov. 29 with the hopes of having a debate that will involve Victor Rodriguez, a professor from the Chicano/Latino studies department, and Norma Chinchilla, a sociology department faculty member.
Rodriguez, who was involved in the protesting with the Campus Coalition Against Hate, will have the choice of debating Gilchrist or Hayes.
According to Aula, “If [Rodriguez and Chinchilla] are included in the debate, it would hold them accountable and hinder them from any unprofessional walkouts.”
Evan Ortega contributed to this report.
