The so-called Irvine 11, actually a bunch of student members of Muslim Student Unions, who waged a yelling battle against Ambassador Oren, were sentenced today to probation. While they claimed free speech, the jury found that they conspired to DENY free speech, and did deny free speech. Muslim groups are crying foul, which is pathetic. Truly pathetic.
The students engaged in civil disobedience. They broke the law. They knew the potential results, yet ignored them. If they had pleaded guilty… they would have been sentenced to community service. Instead, they made a show-trial of a misdemeanor, called the prosecution an effort to silence free speech, especially about Israel, and laughed their way through the trial.
They also had a shoddy defense team, say my insiders.
Yet, they clearly broke California statutes, and would lose all the way to the Supreme Court (where they claim they will take the case if need be).
I was even mentioned during the trial for my Clowns For Israel routine I did during the Neturei Karta speech. They asked why wasn’t I arrested.
Because I didn’t deny anyone the right to speak. Duh.
I’m pretty tired of these guys. I was even asked to sign a letter on their behalf. I agreed to do it, IF they would publicly apologize for their actions. Nope, not a chance.
The saga will continue undoubtedly as they now believe that not only do the Jews control Congress, and the White House, but even the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
I wish these tactics were reserved to those outside our community, but sadly, they are not. Remember what HIAS and co. did in their attempts to smear and silence Stephen Steinlight? Well, polling–including polling by his opponents–eventually revealed that Dr. Steinlight has the majority of American Jewry behind him.
What can we do? We can vote for Dr. Steinlight for Jewish Community Hero. Steinlight is a true hero, because he put the community and nation’s well being over personal and professional advancement.
You may vote for him here, and I invite you to do so: http://www.jewishcommunityheroes.org/nominees/profile/stephen-steinlight/
You can find their names in this post: https://jewlicious.com/2010/02/police-release-names-of-those-arrested-at-uc-irvine-in-oren-protest/ (although one of the 11 cut a plea and was not one of those convicted).
You can also follow our coverage of UC Irvine and their MSU as well as this case if you put “Irvine 11” into our search box on the upper right of our home page.