Protestors Disrupt Mueller's IOP Speech at Harvard
Protestors Disrupt Mueller's IOP Speech at Harvard
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Robert S. Mueller was interrupted by protestors last night, during a speech at the Institute of Politics' John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum.Mueller, who was set to speak before a full crowd managed by tight security detail, had just begun his prepared remarks when the first protestor interrupted with screams from the second floor.
"Freedom for political prisoners!" the protestor shouted. "Justice for Herman Bell!"
Just seconds after security escorted the woman out, more shouts resonated from within the audience.
"We will never forget the role of the FBI in McCarthyism!" screamed Michael A. Gould-Wartofsky '07, who is also a Crimson editorial editor.
Two more students interrupted the speech with protests ranging from "stop the unconstitutional repression of the environment" to "close Guantanamo."
The student protestors included Gould-Wartofsky, Kelly L. Lee '07, and J. Claire Provost '07, who is also a Crimson editor. The fourth student could not be identified.
Harvard University Police Department spokesman Steven G. Catalano confirmed late last night that the four students were arrested at the event, but declined to release their names.
Mueller said that despite the interruption, he was glad the students lived in a society that allowed them to "express their views."
Invoking the words of President John F. Kennedy '40, Mueller said that there is a "delicate balance between the need to keep the public informed through freedom of the press, and the need to keep the public secure through limiting the amount of information made available to America's enemies."
"Al-Qaeda is no longer just an organization, it is a movement," Mueller added. "Its followers may have no formal affiliation with al-Qaeda, but may be inspired by its message of violence."
The sixth director in the Bureau's nearly 100-year history, Mueller faced tough questions from many audience members during the evening's question-and-answer session.
Straus Professor of Business Administration Max H. Bazerman said that he had lost faith in some government officials.
"I trust you," said Bazerman, "but how do we trust the government when we know they've lied to us?"
Vivek G. Ramaswamy '07 challenged Mueller to address whether it was more pertinent "for there to be some kind of outside check" on the FBI's role in affecting civil liberties.
"We have to strike that balance day in and day out," Mueller said. "We do it with substantial input and oversight from Congress, privacy groups, and the ACLU. We should not be protected from scrutiny."
Staff writer Malcom A. Glenn can be reached at mglenn@fas.harvard.edu.
Copyright © 2007, The Harvard Crimson, Inc.
8 Comments so far
Show AllThe FBI or other associated arms of enforcement are not protecting the people from terrorist organizations such as the now semi fictitious Al-Qaeda. The FBI protects the interests of the current conservative corporate and religious right regime in America.
When you speak out against the current regime you risk being arrested and (black) listed as a threat to the regime. A new strategy needs to be adopted concerning civil disobedience and ways to facilitate a regime change. Speak not with your mouth, but with every penny you spend on a daily basis. Do not support the very conservative corporations that are lobbying to take away your fundamental democratic rights.
How powerful would a corporation be without the people who support it by buying its goods, services and stocks. If you want change then play the capitalist game. Capitalists will do anything for money, just think how a boycott of GE or Amway would have impeded their ability to support the creation our current administration.
Protest as a consumer. Create a blacklist of business that are attacking our constitutional rights under the guise of terrorism.
dkm April 28th, 2007 10:16 am
The first thing that struck me was the same thing that funeocons mentioned.
he was glad the students lived in a society that allowed them to "express their views."
and then he had them arrested. How do you rationalize that behavior with that statement? The USSR under Stalin did the same thing.
It can't be rationalized. All they needed to do was escort them out of the auditorium if they were being disruptive to the point of not allowing the speaker to continue.
So now you can get arrested for interrupting a speech by an American Gestapo agent. What good is freedom of speech when you can't exercise it?
Mr. Mueller described al Quaeda as "no longer just an organization, it is a movement". Unfortunately, the same can be said about the FBI. It is, from all indications, moving rapidly in the direction of fascism. This is not a stretch for the FBI considering it's history. Mr. Mueller then commented without irony, in response to the hecklers in the audience, that it was good that they lived in a country where freedom of expression is preserved, apparently oblivious to the fact that the protesters were removed from the proceedings by goons and arrested.
The first thing that struck me was the same thing that funeocons mentioned.
he was glad the students lived in a society that allowed them to "express their views."
and then he had them arrested. How do you rationalize that behavior with that statement? The USSR under Stalin did the same thing.
Mark twain once wrote: Here in America we are blessed with three most precious God given gifts: freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and the prudence never to use either one.
But nowadays, it's more subtle than that. The only significance of free speech is its ability to affect policy and the actions of government. Free speech as a part of self-determination. Our rulers today are quite comfortable ignoring what people on the street say. Free speech doesn't matter any more. No one is listening.
yes, it is so wonderful that we live in a country where we can express our views...right before they arrest us.
From a former journalist who graduated in the year of Watergate, kudos to Mr. Glenn for his balanced and "un-nuanced" reporting. Problem is, Mueller was speaking at a Kennedy forum so he was likely as polite and pious as a hooker in church. Let's remember the FBI is suspected of some 3000 violations of the already fascistic Patriot Act for illegally obtaining personal and business information on U.S. citizens (see http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/09/security.letters/index.html)
The very fact that Mueller was appointed by Bush in July 2001 speaks volumes. Like all Bushies he'll talk up democracy like an idealized schoolboy then subvert it with every means in his power.