University chief who joined ‘Hands Up’ protest now embraces domestic terrorist.
Pennsylvania State University president Eric Barron fielded fierce legislative fire for letting Bill Ayers, co-founder of the violent Weather Underground, speak before Dickinson Law School students earlier this month.
A handful of state Senate Appropriations Committee members slammed Barron during a budget hearing, the Associated Press reported. Their main question: What could Ayers, a former leader of the ultra-violent, anti-Vietnam group, possibly offer of importance to the university?
Barron said he understood the senators’ views, but he couldn’t do anything to stop the speaking event because it was funded and sponsored by student groups, AP reported.
CBS, reporting from Harrisburg, said Barron responded to questions from state Rep. Jeff Pyle by saying: “We’re in an interesting world where universities are cancelling speeches by George Will and Condoleeza Rice.”
Pyle then cut in and said, CBS reported: “But not Bill Ayers, leader of the Weather Underground.”
And Barron’s response: “Yes, I understand perfectly. And I have to separate my personal opinion from what it is that is my duty.”
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