Several hundred Utah Valley State College students gathered Monday in a rally to protest the student government's invite for Sean Hannity to speak next week.

Although some students in attendance thought the protesters were genuine in their remarks, the two organizers, Matt Gifford and Scott Larson, made several references throughout the rally that their comments were made out of sarcasm.

"We're trying to keep Sean Hannity away from our school because our school offered to pay him $40 billion -- a tad ridiculous don't you think?" Larson said. "What's more, Sean Hannity does not represent Utah Valley values."

Gifford and Larson wore white T-shirts with phrases on them such as 'Sean Hannity Cut Off My Arm,' 'Freedom of Speech is Anti-Mormon' and 'Impeach and Excommunicate Jim Bassi.'

Danny DeBeikes, whom the organizers invited to give a community viewpoint, referenced quotes from Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin to illustrate that some people are trying to prevent students from expressing their views.

"Basically, I thought it appropriate to share with you these quotes, seeing as how these leaders totally understood the power of free speech," DeBeikes sarcastically said. "They did not want the people they were leading to have any views of their own. I believe we are in the same struggle as them in our efforts to control what is said and brought into this town."

Larson further related the situation to other worldwide leaders during his speech, when he presented enlarged photos he had found on the Internet. One photo illustrated Hannity standing with Osama bin Laden and Hitler, and another showed Hannity drinking beer with Saddam Hussein.

"Truth be told, I'm fairly socially oblivious," Larson said. "I don't really know what's going on most of the time, but I did a little bit of research and found out that Sean Hannity is not the kind of person we want to come speak here."

Following the three speakers, Gifford put a brown paper bag with a picture of Jar Jar Binks over his head, acting as the celebrity guest that the organizers had advertised would be in attendance. He held up a large cardboard check to UVSC, which further emphasized the earlier point that the college was spending too much for Hannity.

After this, those in attendance were given the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Although several students shared similar views as Gifford, Larson and DeBeikes, many others also articulated opinions of a more serious nature.

"Institutions that tell us what is maturity, tell us what is right, and tell us what is wrong actually destroy our human rights to grow and learn and think for ourselves," said student Daniel Sabin. "What we need to do is make that choice for ourselves and make the 25,000 students actually talk for our community, instead of the institution."

One participant in the protest, Kay Anderson, who had a copy of the contract to invite Michael Moore, asserted that the total amount spent to invite Moore came to over $50,500, accounting for additional fees and security.

He said according to the law, if the student government uses more than the allotted $50,000 in the budget for speakers, it is required to post the amount in a newspaper and another media outlet at least five days before the contract is revealed. The student government's contract for Michael Moore violated this state law, he said.

Although a few students seemed concerned about Anderson's announcement, most quickly changed focus to the following students. "I encourage you all to get involved," said student Kristi Torp, who was part of the student government two years ago. "Tell them that you don't want your student fees going toward that type of stuff. It's really bad that this is what it takes to get students involved, and I hope this kind of wakes you guys up and gets you more involved with where your money is going. You have a voice, use it."



Copyright Brigham Young University 5 Oct 2004