Over the past two weeks the Long Beach/Orange County area
has witnessed two disturbing events: protests by the anti-Semitic and
homophobic Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) in Long Beach and aggressive heckling
of Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren by Muslim Student Union members at UC
Irvine.
Earlier this month, UCI Muslim Student Union (MSU) members
repeatedly interrupted Israeli ambassador Michael Oren, shouting and preventing
his speech over a nine- minute period before being escorted out by police.
Ultimately, 11 students were arrested.
UCI Chancellor Michael Drake issued a statement saying that the
university will not accept attempts "to suppress the rights of others" to free
speech, but it is not yet clear what additional steps university administrators
will take.
Last weekend, in another display of hate, a small group of
WBC members carried virulently anti-Semitic and homophobic picket signs at over
ten appearances in the area, seven Jewish. Over a six-week period prior to
their protest, the local ADL, Long Beach Police Department and Jewish
Federation monitored their plans and advised Jewish organizations. The Jewish
community chose to face this hate speech by marginalizing the group who was
seeking publicity.
While the Jewish Community was criticized by the Jewish
Defense League, who showed up for one appearance of the WBC at the Alpert
Jewish Community Center, the strategy proved positive. The general Long Beach
community came out in strong support of our institutions and the GLBT
community, and the Long Beach Police Department did an excellent job of
working with us to ensure that protests would be peaceful.
Unfortunately, the press did not cover the positive aspects
of support for the Jewish community, such as the nearly 250 people who danced
and sang in peaceful counter protest near the Alpert Jewish Community Center,
the 300 interfaith community leaders and members who attended a Shabbat service
of unity at Temple Israel, or the neighbors who came out spontaneously to
support Temple Israel, Temple Beth Shalom and Temple Beth David.
While we as a community chose not to intervene by countering
hate with hate, these events demonstrate the need for us to speak out, educate
and promote appropriate civil discourse.
Our students on campus need our help to garner support in a hostel
environment, just as the Long Beach community supported us.
The Jewish Federation of Orange County is circulating a
petition to UCI administration asking them to take action in response to the
recent attempts by radical students to suppress free speech rights on
campus. Please join us in supporting
this effort by clicking here to sign on
to the petition.
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Recent events have left many Jewish community members
wondering how to draw a line between freedom of speech and defending against
hate. 
In similar efforts here our Federation community relations
efforts will focus on encouraging CSULB administration to take a stand in
promoting appropriate civil discourse during March "Apartheid" Week demonstrations
on campus, when radical anti-Israel and anti-Semitic speakers spew their hate
on campus and continue attempt to demonize and delegitimize Israel. For more
information see 
