TODAY'S TMJ4

No Penalty For Racist Flyers Targeting Colleges

By Michael George

OSHKOSH - Hundreds of white supremacist flyers were left on cars at two Wisconsin college campuses, though police don't believe the two cases are connected. Students are wondering who is responsible and what is being done about it.

The flyers left on cars at St. Norbert's College in De Pere talk about white pride and claim white people are under attack by black people. Surveillance video shows a man placing the flyers on cars in a parking lot.

At UW-Oshkosh, a different flyer was placed on cars in two parking lots.

"They were offensive in nature, both from a sexist and a racist perspective," said UW-Oshkosh spokeswoman Jeanette DeDiemar.

The university sent an e-mail to students and staff notifying them about the flyers and asking for their help in finding out who is responsible.

Oshkosh police say they get reports of white supremacist flyers about once a year, though in the past those have been left on cars off campus.

It came as a shock to some students.

"It's an unfortunate situation. I don't know why people would do that," said UW-Oshkosh freshman Jecel Gerner.

Others called it disappointing, but said it wasn't unexpected.

"I'm not really surprised, actually. I believe it exists and it won't go away," said senior Houa Vang.

De Pere police say they found the man responsible for the St. Norbert flyers after he allegedly posted about it on his personal Facebook page. They believe he worked alone and is not a student or staff member of St. Norbert's. They also believe he had nothing to do with the Oshkosh flyers.

Even if the perpetrators are found, it's unlikely they will face any punishment. The flyers are protected as free speech.

The St. Norbert suspect was not arrested or cited. He has been ordered to stay away from campus.

The Southern Poverty Law Center says hate speech on college campuses is on the rise nationwide.

UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells sent the following statement out to staff and students:

Colleagues,

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is committed to inclusive excellence, and we simply do not tolerate any form of hate speech or illegal activity. We will continue to respond strongly to racist and sexist behavior and to enforce the law when the instances are violations of the law. We are doing everything we can to assist law enforcement authorities to apprehend the perpetuator(s), and we will continue to do whatever we can within the law to protect members of our community from further exposure to acts of a sexist or racist nature. For example, we are considering the pros and cons of installing cameras in our parking lots to create greater security in our lots. We also are collaborating with law enforcement officials throughout the region and with our sister institutions to respond very strongly to these types of racist and sexist acts. Furthermore, I will be approaching our faculty to organize panels and information sessions on effective ways to counter hate speech while upholding everyone’s first amendment rights.

I am concerned with what appears to be an increase in the frequency of these types of racist and sexist occurrences in Wisconsin and around the nation. I believe this pattern is likely to continue if we don’t take all necessary measures to discourage further expressions of hate speech. I am calling on educational, business, media, elected and other community leaders throughout the New North region to stand up and speak out forcefully against what appears to be an increase in hate speech and other racist and sexist behaviors. I believe we, as leaders, are morally obligated to speak out.

Richard H. Wells

Chancellor

Next Article in Local: JSOnline: Chadima never received written reprimand from UW for 1998 incident