2008 Woodie Awards
Protest Angers Students
Expression of Free Speech Condemns 'Sinful' Behavior
Jessica Havery
Issue date: 11/11/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Matt Bourgault, a Florida minister, was removed from the Montclair State University campus last week after his demonstration against homosexuality put him in what was "a dangerous situation," Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life Karen A. Pennington said.
Bourgault held a banner displaying phrases, such as "AIDS: Judgment or Cure?" and "Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve," as he used the Holy Bible to preach against lifestyle choices including homosexuality, alcohol and drug use.
University Police officers Kelly Fitzpatrick and Randy Padula were present throughout the demonstration to ensure crowd control.
"Bourgault is exercising his freedom of speech and he has gone through the proper channels to do so," said Fitzpatrick.
"This man is a bigot," said sophomore history major Ryan Stark. "He has come to our home and spewed mindless, thoughtless hatred and I don't like it."
Shortly after Bourgault's demonstration began to draw the attention of nearly 300 students, Stark circulated a student petition as a way for students to voice their opposition to the protest.
"How many of you are dirty little masturbators?" Bourgault asked the growing crowd. Bourgault also used phrases such as "man pleasers" and "intolerant rebels and bigots," in reference to students.
"You are going to hell and Jesus said so," Bourgault said.
"The way he has [exercised his freedom of speech] is attracting hatred to the word of God," senior psychology major Kindlyne Vilcant said. In response to Bourgault's use of the Holy Bible as justification for his demonstration, Vilcant read passages from her own Bible.
"He is misrepresenting my religion," Vilcant said.
Sophomore Ezra Abraham, in response to Bourgault's message, threw a cup of coffee at him.
"I think this is the stupidest thing that I have ever seen. This should not be allowed on our campus," Abraham said.
"Obviously he has freedom of speech, but [this demonstration] is extremely disappointing," said Jacob V. Hudnut SGA president. "I think it is one thing to hold a sign, but he is extremely confrontational and this is beyond free speech."
Pennington joined other MSU officials in the Student Center quad in an attempt to calm the situation and ensure the safety of the protestor.
"What you are seeing here is an expression of our constitutional freedom of speech.
He has the right to speak his mind, and we have the right not to listen," said Pennington, in a statement to students.
"What I encourage you to do is to walk away from this. I am concerned right now that this man is in danger and, as a public University, we have a responsibility to our guest," said Pennington.
While some students took Pennington's advice and left the scene, others confront ed Bourgault about his beliefs, and the situation continued to escalate.
The protestor was then escorted from the University campus because, as the crowd became unruly, University officials feared that they would be unable to protect him, Pennington said.
Bourgault held a banner displaying phrases, such as "AIDS: Judgment or Cure?" and "Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve," as he used the Holy Bible to preach against lifestyle choices including homosexuality, alcohol and drug use.
University Police officers Kelly Fitzpatrick and Randy Padula were present throughout the demonstration to ensure crowd control.
"Bourgault is exercising his freedom of speech and he has gone through the proper channels to do so," said Fitzpatrick.
"This man is a bigot," said sophomore history major Ryan Stark. "He has come to our home and spewed mindless, thoughtless hatred and I don't like it."
Shortly after Bourgault's demonstration began to draw the attention of nearly 300 students, Stark circulated a student petition as a way for students to voice their opposition to the protest.
"How many of you are dirty little masturbators?" Bourgault asked the growing crowd. Bourgault also used phrases such as "man pleasers" and "intolerant rebels and bigots," in reference to students.
"You are going to hell and Jesus said so," Bourgault said.
"The way he has [exercised his freedom of speech] is attracting hatred to the word of God," senior psychology major Kindlyne Vilcant said. In response to Bourgault's use of the Holy Bible as justification for his demonstration, Vilcant read passages from her own Bible.
"He is misrepresenting my religion," Vilcant said.
Sophomore Ezra Abraham, in response to Bourgault's message, threw a cup of coffee at him.
"I think this is the stupidest thing that I have ever seen. This should not be allowed on our campus," Abraham said.
"Obviously he has freedom of speech, but [this demonstration] is extremely disappointing," said Jacob V. Hudnut SGA president. "I think it is one thing to hold a sign, but he is extremely confrontational and this is beyond free speech."
Pennington joined other MSU officials in the Student Center quad in an attempt to calm the situation and ensure the safety of the protestor.
"What you are seeing here is an expression of our constitutional freedom of speech.
He has the right to speak his mind, and we have the right not to listen," said Pennington, in a statement to students.
"What I encourage you to do is to walk away from this. I am concerned right now that this man is in danger and, as a public University, we have a responsibility to our guest," said Pennington.
While some students took Pennington's advice and left the scene, others confront ed Bourgault about his beliefs, and the situation continued to escalate.
The protestor was then escorted from the University campus because, as the crowd became unruly, University officials feared that they would be unable to protect him, Pennington said.