AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Inadvertant Racism?

I agree with you that remmoval of the flag was justified and actually would have been covered by Section 8 of the " Flag Law"

Destuction of property that does not belong to you is a crime regardless!

Hell, if I was there I would have helped him take it down. Tearing it in half is another matter

In a radio interview, he suggested that after 4 days of being displayed where it had no right to be, the flag had been abandoned, and as such he claimed and destroyed it.

When it was revealed to him, by the ROTC at the university, who should have known better, that it belonged to La Raza. he went to their offices and offered to purchase a new flag for them. They declined, and decided to press charges, seemingly more interested in "justice" than getting a new flag?

Pug, Pug, Pug!
Are you really serious? haveing been displayed for 4 days ( regardless of where) does not constitute abandonment. It was on a university Flag pole for God sake!

Me thinks , once he was approached and informed that he just committed a crime he though , OH Crap!! and tried to get his self out of trouble by offering a new flag.The motives of LA RAZA not withstanding , he was guilty of property destruction!

Whoooeee, he is in deep doodoo. That flag must be worth at least $10. Felony or misdemeanor? How about La Raza for "inappropriately" (illegally ?) displaying their flag? Was the flag on their property? I doubt it. Any consequences for them? Regardless, if the university allowed it to continue, and are accepting federal funds, they should also be held accountable. If I remember correctly, La Raza also gets a federal handout. This should allow a few lawyers to retire comfortably.

Peter Ryan Lynch Responds

My fellow Americans,

My name is Peter Ryan Lynch; I am a student at UNM. I am a decorated 8-year veteran of the US military, honorably discharge this July. I am appalled a foreign banner flew unaccompanied on UNM campus flagpole for three days, including a US holiday. I am an American passionate about our country and I would feel the same way if it were ANY foreign banner.

The Mexican flag was flying over UNM campus unaccompanied by an American flag on U.S. Constitution Day 17 September 2007.

According to United States Code (Federal Law):
"The flag should be displayed on all days especially on… Constitution Day, September 17…."

"The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution."

"The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse."

Throughout history, flying a nation's banner is a claim of ownership. To do this on U.S. Constitution Day is an insult to all Americans. I am outraged that UNM administration allowed this happen. I thought before my class was over they would address the issue. I left class, and the foreign banner was still unaccompanied. I went to the dean's office, pleading for action. I also notified Army ROTC, who has the honor of raising and lowering the US flag on UNM campus this month. I waited one and one half-hours after these notifications to take action myself. I made a profound statement and tore down this foreign banner. My actions although overzealous, are warranted.

Americans have one of the most diverse cultures on the planet, we embrace our differences, and unless you are a foreign visitor or illegal immigrant then your nationality is American! We are all equals under the Constitution and Stars and Stripes that protect us. Americans should fly their historical nations' banners with pride. UNM is a public institution, governed by the laws of our nation, and on 17 September 2007, Federal law was broken; American's are insulted. I am livid, with all the press coverage, only Julian "Top" Martinez said anything in my defense. Furthermore, the press has a responsibility to gather all the facts before printing.

I would like to assure El Centro de la Raza that hate or racism did not motivate my actions. I ask UNM administration specifically, David Schmidly (University President), Rita Martinez-Purson (Interim Vice President for Academic Diversity), and Cheo Torres (Vice President for Academic Affairs), to apologize to all the American Students, including Mexican-American students, for allowing a foreign banner to fly over UNM for three days in violation of Federal laws.

Sincerely,
Peter Ryan Lynch

Mr Lynch states that he was not making a racist gesture, rather a patriotic one: the decision to press charges came from La Raza, who's motto "For La Raza todo. Fuera de La Raza nada." is chilling to everyone who values equal rights for all.

It says: "For The Race everything. Outside The Race, nothing."

And yes Bobber, they received $15.2 million in federal grants in 2005, with many more since.


*I counted Friday afternoon through Monday morning as 4 days in a previous post

Excellent points here Leah-Ann!

Peter Lynch does not deserve a conviction but rather a medal.

Bobber, my comments are all to the destruction of the flag. Not the illegal act of its display. I definatley agree with the fact that it should have been removed, and more in agreement that it should never been displayed as it was on the campus flag pole.

BiIl, I agree with you, and understand. My questions would relate to the relative worth, monetarily, of the flag, which I assume would not qualify this "crime" as a felony. Also, since ownership of the flag was taken, would there be any liability for the owner of the flag for flying it illegally. Obviously, if a federal law was broken, there should be some accountability. In my mind, "law" would indicate some type of punishment would accompany breaking it. I don't buy into the "inappropriate".

Assuming the relative low value of the flag (hey, flags aren't all that expensive, and Mexican flags probably less so in the US) obviously someone pi**ed someone off, and the lawsuit is the only way to vent the anger. How about our anger? If WE (the sensitive caring patriotic folk)are held acountable, how about THEM (who we would assume are also sensitive caring, but patriots of some other country).

Isn't this just so amusing. I find it amusing, because I realize being pi**ed off at idiots is fruitless. Looks like we might have a new write-in candidate.