DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Students for a Democratic Society, Herrnstein lecture, February-June, 1972 | 1972-02-27 Des Moines Register Article: 'Rap U of I Student Denial Of Prof's Right to Speak'

Transcribe
Translate

Students for a Democratic Society, Herrnstein lecture, February-June, 1972

1972-02-27 Des Moines Register Article: 'Rap U of I Student Denial Of Prof's Right to Speak'

2/27/72

Rap U od I Student Denial Of Prof's Right to Speak
By a Staff Writer 
IOWA CITY, IA. - The Hawkeye Chapter of the IOWA Civil Liberties union (ICLU) said students who protested the visit of a controversial Harvard professor in Iowa City Friday "trampled in his (the professor's) rights" and "on those who wished to hear him speak."
Prof. Richard J. Herrnstein, 41, canceled a scheduled lecture on the University of Iowa (U of I) campus Friday when members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) packed a U of I auditorium to heckle him.
"SDS leaders called Herrnstein's refusal to speak a "big success" for the group, which has been harassing the Harvard professor since published an article in the September issue of Atlantic Monthly magazine.
"We vigorously differ with the U of I SDS that their deniel of (Herrnstein's) right to speak is a "big success for SDS,'" said Mrs. Hanna Weston of Iowa City, speaking for the ICLU's Hawkeye chapter.
"While they have succeeded in their goal, their success id the success of the very representative, dangerous tactics they decry," Mrs. Weston said. "The right to speak is a right assured to everyone, not just to those with whom we agree. 
"In forcing Mr. Herrnstein to cancel his talk, the SDS not only trampled on his rights but on those who wished to hear him," Mrs. Weston continued. "The liberties we hold dear will not long survive the use of such tactics." 
Herrnstein has published an article on a theory of intelligence which stdent radicals plot to continue oppression of blacks and other minority groups. 
In a related matter, MArty Riefe, the national chairwoman of SDS, announced Saturday that the attacks against Herrnstein will be continued at the national SDS convention also will mark the tenth anniversary of SDS.

Saving...

2/27/72 Rap U od I Student Denial Of Prof's Right to Speak By a Staff Writer IOWA CITY, IA. - The Hawkeye Chapter of the IOWA Civil Liberties union (ICLU) said students who protested the visit of a controversial Harvard professor in Iowa City Friday "trampled in his (the professor's) rights" and "on those who wished to hear him speak." Prof. Richard J. Herrnstein, 41, canceled a scheduled lecture on the University of Iowa (U of I) campus Friday when members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) packed a U of I auditorium to heckle him. "SDS leaders called Herrnstein's refusal to speak a "big success" for the group, which has been harassing the Harvard professor since published an article in the September issue of Atlantic Monthly magazine. "We vigorously differ with the U of I SDS that their deniel of (Herrnstein's) right to speak is a "big success for SDS,'" said Mrs. Hanna Weston of Iowa City, speaking for the ICLU's Hawkeye chapter. "While they have succeeded in their goal, their success id the success of the very representative, dangerous tactics they decry," Mrs. Weston said. "The right to speak is a right assured to everyone, not just to those with whom we agree. "In forcing Mr. Herrnstein to cancel his talk, the SDS not only trampled on his rights but on those who wished to hear him," Mrs. Weston continued. "The liberties we hold dear will not long survive the use of such tactics." Herrnstein has published an article on a theory of intelligence which stdent radicals plot to continue oppression of blacks and other minority groups. In a related matter, MArty Riefe, the national chairwoman of SDS, announced Saturday that the attacks against Herrnstein will be continued at the national SDS convention also will mark the tenth anniversary of SDS.