Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Brunswick college gives permit to demonstrators

An unidentified group has been given a permit to demonstrate at Brunswick Community College Monday when peace activist Cindy Sheehan and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bob Bowman are scheduled to speak, according to information from Odell Williamson director Mike Sapp Wednesday afternoon.

The information said the permit would allow for the demonstration around the flagpole outside the main entrance to the auditorium.

No one was available to comment on why the college would allow the demonstration in that area, which is contrary to the college's free speech policy. The policy says that demonstrations at the main campus in Bolivia will be allowed only in a courtyard between Buildings A and B, some distance from the auditorium.

Sapp's information did not say who had been given the permit, but Christy Judah, who ran unsuccessfullly for the Brunswick school board last year, has said she wanted to stage a support the troops demonstration because of Sheehan's appearance. She said she believed Sheehan had protested at a military funeral.

Sheehan told The Sun News that that was not true. The only military funeral she has ever been to, she said, was her son's. He died in the Iraq war in 2004 and Sheehan gained international fame when she camped out at former President George Bush's Texas ranch trying to get an interview with him.

The appearance by Sheehan and Bowman is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. with a price of $12 except for children and low-income people. The latter will be admitted for any amount of donation, said Barbara Stanley of Shallotte, who has helped to organize the event. Questions from the audience will be part of the agenda.

Judah said she supports Sheehan's right to free speech and that the demonstration she wants to hold is not an anti-anything event. It is pro-America and pro-military, she said. She has asked demonstrators to arrive at 5:45 p.m., wear red, white and blue and bring signs.

The college said that signs will be limited to 3 feet by 3 feet in size.