University of Southern California
DAILY m TROJAN
VOL. LXIV
NO. 101
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1972
Nazi leader may not appear here
By RICH WISEMAN City Editor
The scheduled April 26 Bovard appearance of Joe Tommasi, lieutenant in the Nazi party, may be cancelled because of security risks, it was learned Monday.
Daniel Nowak, acting vice-president for student affairs, was to have conferred with President John Hubbard late last week on the matter. Only Hubbard has the authority to cancel a speaker, and only for security reasons, the university’s speaker’s policy states.
A spokesman from Hubbard’s office said Hubbard was very concerned about Tommasi’s appearance and will make a decision in the next several days.
Kathy Fleming, coordinator of the Forum for Student Awareness, the sponsoring group, said she will proceed with speech preparations until she hears from Hubbard.
At the behest of Hubbard. Nowak had called a meeting Thursday of Fleming; Robert Mannes, dean for student life; and Brian Heimerl, assistant director of the Student Activities office, to discuss Tommasi’s proposed appearance.
It was reported that Nowak expressed concern about possible violence at Tommasi’s talk at the meeting because of anticipated opposition from the militant Jewish Defense League.
“He used the approach that he was concerned, hoping I would say ‘no. we won’t have him,’ ” said Fleming. “But I didn’t.
“I think it would be a beneficial thing for the students to hear him; to know that someone like him exists. I share their concern that there might be trouble. But we re taking security precautions.
I don't think there will be a riot.”
When informed his appearance might be cancelled, Tommasi was indignant.
“It's just another perfect example of hypocrisy of school officials. These people are a bunch of phony charlatans,” he said.
“The administration can be compared to the government under which we’re living—they should all be shot.
“I hope violence does erupt on this campus. If the JDL comes down I want to have it out with them. It’s time we lay things on the table.”
Fleming said she had not as yet been contacted by the JDL. No spokesman for the JDL was available for comment Monday.
Preparations for Tommasi’s appearance had been going smoothly up until Thursday. Fleming, Mannes and Heimerl had met Wednesday with Rabbi Roy Furman of Hillel, at which time various security precautions were outlined. It was decided that Tommasi and his bodyguards would be asked not to wear their uniforms, that student monitors would patrol the auditorium, and that plainclothesmen be asked to attend.
Rabbi Furman said he regards Tommasi’s appearance with concern but not fear.
“My serious reservation is this: Why should an invitation be extended to Joe Tommasi?” he said. “He is something beyond being a controversial figure as his kind were once involved in genocidal activities. Beyond this, I don't think students will be won over to Nazism. Students, by and large, are sensible.”
Both Mannes and Heimerl have mixed feelings about Tommasi's appearance.
“The question is can an educational format be maintained in a situation that could be volatile?” said Heimerl. “Tommasi’s appeal isn't philosophical. He’s an actor and the audience is his prop.”
“Tommasi represents a perspective a lot of people see in a bad light,” said Mannes. “Then again, a lot of people in the university community weren't alive during World War II and it might be educational to hear a Nazi first-hand.”
Tommasi and the local Nazi chapter made headlines Jan. 30 when a JDL demonstration in front of its El Monte headquarters turned into a minor riot. One week later. Irv Rubin, western states coordinator for the JDL, was taken into custody for allegedly firing at Tommasi’s car on an offramp of the San Bernardino Freeway. Rubin was released, however, because of lack of evidence.
Candidates for ASSC offices enter, quit race
Candidates are popping in and out of Wednesday’s and Thursday's ASSC elections.
Chuck Jones was disqualified by the ASSC Elections Commission as a candidate for academic affairs vice-president because his grade point average was below the minimum requirement; however, his name will remain on the ballot. Greg “Hands" Cole and Cliff Ishi are still in the race for that office. Laura Kotsiris, Women’s Halls Association president, dropped out of the race Friday.
Ed Hurst, law student, announced his write-in campaign for ASSC president.
Doug Meyer, freshman representative, announced his write in candidacy for Sophomore representative.
James Booker, 1970 freshman representative, will run as a write-in for senior class representative.
Joel Jacobs, AMS president and Niessen Foster both began write-in campaigns against unopposed AMS presidential candidate Craig Clemence.
Jamshid Tadjiki, international students representative running for reelection, was also declared ineligible by the ASSC Elections Commission because he does not meet the foreign student requirements.
JOE TOMMASI — Lieutenant in the Nazi party, has been scheduled to appear in Bovard Auditorium on April 26. There is a possibility that his appearance
will be cancelled due to security risks. This is the second time the Nazi representative has been scheduled to appear. DT photo by Lars Apanel.
Gay Lib Forum suffers setback in fight for university recognition
By MIKE REVZIN Staff Writer
The Gay Liberation Forum lost an attempt to win recognition from the university Monday, but it was granted a preliminary injunction hearing, set for May 8.
Four members of the Forum and their American Civil
Liberties Union attorney H. Russell Halpern, appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court Monday in an attempt to obtain a temporary restraining order against the university.
If granted, this order would have required the university to grant the Forum recognition until a hearing is held.
Social philosopher will discuss society, dissent
Marcus Raskin, a social-political philosopher, will discuss the structure of American society and the nature of dissent at noon today in Bovard Auditorium.
Raskin was a codefendant with Dr. Benjamin Spock and William Sloan Coffin in the Boston Five Draft Conspiracy Trial where he was charged with counseling young men on draft evasion.
In his book “Being and Doing,” Raskin analyzed what he terms the pyramidal structure of the American society, and revealed his views on the personal liberation of the individual as well as the liberation of the collective society.
Raskin is convinced that a person’s personal liberation comes as a result of his actions as well as his thoughts.
In 1962, after graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, Raskins served under President Kennedy as a member of tne special staff of the National Security Council and the U.S. Disarmament Delegation to the Geneva Conference.
Raskin, 37, subsequently became codirector of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington.
He coauthored the “Vietnam Reader” with French-Asian specialist, Bernard Fall.
“The Vietnam Reader” has been a primary ingredient for countless anti-war advocates speaking all over the world.
Raskin has since been involved with the free school
ZM 1
Marcus Raskin
movement in Washington, D.C.
William Hogan, a San Francisco columnist, said. “Marcus Raskin, appears to be the most daring, and influential social political philosopher since the late C. Wright Mills.”
But, Halpern said, the judge ruled that emergency action was not necessary since it has been almost a year since the Board of Trustees denied recognition to the Forum.
In chambers with the judge and the attorney representing USC, Halpern argued that immediate action was necessary because some Forum members will graduate soon. Also, he said, the year’s delay in coming to court was the result of the Forum’s lack of funds for legal aid.
If the Forum wins the preliminary injunction hearing, Halpern said he hopes the university will grant the Forum recognition without proceeding to a permanent injunction hearing.
Even if the Forum loses the May 8 hearing, it can go on to a permanent injunction hearing, said Halpern.
The forum is basing its case on the rights of freedom and speech in the First Amendment to the Constitution, and on the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities which the Board of Trustees ratified in April. 1969.
In an effort to raise money for legal fees, the Forum at USC, along with gay clubs from other colleges, are holding a gay college dance Friday at the Metropolitan Community Church.
Beginning Friday, the chairman of the First Amendment Committee of the ACLU, Norman Rudman, will aid HalpeFn in representing the Forum's case.
Former USC student to sing at coffeehouse
The Bitter Ashtray will feature singer Nancy Beagle, a former USC student, in the coffeehouse this week.
Beagle will perform her own compositions, which are
soft folk. She will be complemented on the weekend by Tret Furie, who sings and also composer her own soft personal music.
Beagle was an audition winner last November in Hoot Week.
The Bitter Ashtray is open 8-11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 8:30-11:30 p.m. weekends. There is a 75 cent cover charge.