IP: Publisher booed and heckled for mentioning civil liberties during commencement at Cal State Sacramento

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-publisher-booed1216dec16.story?coll=sns%2Dap%2Dnationworld%2Dheadlines

News Publisher Booed During Speech



By Associated Press

December 16, 2001, 4:14 PM EST
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A newspaper publisher's commencement speech was
drowned out by hecklers when she mentioned threats to civil liberties
posed by the federal government's investigation of the terrorist
attacks.
Janis Besler Heaphy, president and publisher of The Sacramento Bee,
was delivering the midyear graduation address Saturday to about
17,000 people at California State University in Sacramento.
When Heaphy raised questions about racial profiling, limits on civil
rights and the establishment of military tribunals, the audience
interrupted by clapping and stomping their feet for five minutes.
University President Don Gerth tried to quiet the audience, but
Heaphy stopped speaking after more loud heckling erupted.
Heaphy told The Sacramento Bee afterward that the hecklers were
merely blaming the messenger.
"This was a message about civil liberties and our acceptance of
differing points of view in American society," she said. "It's a
message that needs to continue to be heard."
Gerth blamed the interruption on students' family members and friends
and said some students apologized to Heaphy after the ceremony.
"Our students have a right to hear our speaker," Gerth said. "It is a
day I will never forget. I am not proud of it."
Heaphy's speech will be posted in its entirety Monday on the
university's Web site, Gerth said.
Heaphy said she plans to continue to voice her concerns about
potential civil liberties violations.

Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press