Several people have raised questions about activist Julian Heicklen's freedom of speech. In a Sept. 19 letter to the editor in the Collegian, Bill Marshall relayed his fear that public pressure would silence Heicklen. Veronica Kalyna expressed concern about Heicklen's rights in a letter published Sept. 10, asking "the whereabouts of the defenders of free speech whom vehemently defended Womyns Concerns and its co-sponsors' use of the word 'CuntFest.' "

The First Amendment and its protection of free speech has not been violated, as no government body has punished Heicklen and as the university has decided, correctly in our opinion, to not discipline him for his personal choice to advocate a set of beliefs.

However, offended private individuals not officially representing the interests of the administration or of a governing jurisdiction have every right to express displeasure with his choice to use a word notorious for inciting anguish and discomfort. The First Amendment belongs to everyone and should be extended to those who have convictions to share. Expressing one's strong objections to Heicklen's choice of language is as constitutionally protected as Heicklen's right to use whatever language he feels communicates his positions best.

We, as an organization, encourage the dialogue begun by Heicklen, Black Caucus President Hasan Amenra and other students on the implications of Heicklen's wording.

We, as a community, need to protect all free speech from threats of censorship.