[R-G] Anarchist group divided on merits of inviting controversial American speaker

[Anthony Fenton]

Copyright 2007 Edmonton Journal, a division of Canwest MediaWorks  
Publication Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Edmonton Journal (Alberta)

October 26, 2007 Friday
Final Edition

SECTION: CITYPLUS; Pg. B2

LENGTH: 464 words

HEADLINE: Anarchist group divided on merits of inviting controversial  
American speaker

BYLINE: Amanda Ferguson, The Edmonton Journal

DATELINE: EDMONTON

BODY:


EDMONTON - There's a touch of anarchy among local anarchists over  
their group's choice of a speaker this evening.

The Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair has invited Ward Churchill, a former  
University of Colorado professor who called the 9/11 attacks a  
natural response to "genocidal" American policies against Iraq.

Book fair spokesman Sean Boomer said Churchill's views have divided  
those within the anarchy group, although the members agree on the  
need for discussion of different opinions.

Churchill became the subject of controversy when his 2001 essay, Some  
People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens, described the  
victims of 9/11 as "little Eichmanns," referring to Adolf Eichmann,  
the Second World War Nazi responsible for the murders of thousands of  
Jews.

Boomer said that, despite dissent over the choice of Churchill, the  
discussion of "dissenting opinions" is an important pillar to the  
anarchy group's mandate.

"We believe in freedom of speech and we do believe he has the rights  
to express his opinions," Boomer said. "I hope he's going to spur  
some debate."

He said it's important not to shy away from controversy -- or from  
Churchill.

Churchill was dismissed from the University of Colorado in July after  
a university investigative committee alleged he plagiarized,  
fabricated and misrepresented facts in some of his essays.

One of the papers investigated by the committee was a 1972 Canadian  
pamphlet by a defunct environmental group. The university alleged the  
ethnic studies professor plagiarized the pamphlet, from a Canadian  
Damn the Dams campaign.

Churchill isn't apologetic about his past, or about any of the  
controversial stances he has taken in his papers.

"You don't necessarily have to regurgitate the wisdom of Ward  
Churchill verbatim," Churchill said in a telephone interview.

"The point is not whether you end up agreeing with me, but whether  
you understand what I just said."

This is the fifth year for the anarchist book fair in Edmonton.

The group has grown in recent years, member Jeff Musgrave said. More  
than 400 members participate in local anarchist events.

Musgrave said tonight's lecture is especially important for those who  
typically do not hear or read about anarchist theories.

"It's a perspective that not many people have heard before," he said.

"The book fair is a chance for people to talk to anarchists about  
what anarchy is."

This weekend's book fair offers workshops, literature, films and  
various speakers.

axferguson at thejournal.canwest.com

W. CHURCHILL SPEAKS

When and Where: Ward Churchill will deliver his lecture, Organizing  
to Win, tonight at 7 p.m. at the Myer Horowitz Theatre. Doors open at  
6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10, or $8 for the unemployed; available at Earth's General  
Store, Mandolin Books and APIRG at Hub Mall at the University of Alberta

GRAPHIC:
Photo: Ward Churchill ;