Minutemen suffer defeat at Columbia University

Jim Gilchrist terminates speech in face of angry opposition

A major demonstration last night resulted in a serious setback for the Minutemen organization. Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minutemen, an organization which dispatches armed vigilantes at the U.S.-Mexican border, was invited by the Columbia University Republicans to speak at the Roone Arledge auditorium on campus.

Many hundreds of protesters filled up the blocks outside the auditorium, in a demonstration initiated by the Chicano Caucus of Columbia University and supported by the ANSWER Coalition. Inside the hall, the overwhelming number of attendees were clearly opposed to the racist message of the Minutemen. When Gilchrist began to speak, the students inside exercised their Free Speech rights by loudly protesting the presence of this fascist on their campus. More than 20 students - including several ANSWER activists - occupied the stage where they were violently attacked by thugs working with the Minutemen. In spite of the violent attacks against them, they held their ground, and Gilchrist terminated his speech.