A movement led by a group of students at the University of California, Irvine has resulted in flags, including the American flag, being banned from "inclusive" areas on campus.
The legislation, Bill R50-70, was passed by the Associated Students of University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) and says that all flags are "symbols of patriotism or weapons for nationalism," according to CampusReform.org. It was written by a student and Social Ecology Representative that reached out to HNGN and requested anonymity.
"[F]reedom of speech, in a space that aims to be as inclusive as possible[,] can be interpreted as hate speech," the student wrote in the Bill. "Let it be resolved that ASUCI make every effort to make the Associated Students main lobby space as inclusive as possible."
"Let it further be resolved that no flag, of any nation, may be hanged on the walls of the Associate Student main lobby space."
When it comes to Old Glory, the Bill reads: "[T]he American flag has been flown in instances of colonialism and imperialism."
The final vote on the Bill ended in six votes in favor, four against, and two abstentions, but a final decision has not been made because of backlash by the university's alumni and in particular ASUCI President Reza Zomorrodian. However, the author of the Bill told HNGN that it has received plenty of support by current students on campus.
"There has been wide campus support despite the alumni from Facebook," the author said.
Zomorrodian is not in favor of it though, and explained his disdain for it in a post on the group's Facebook page.
