UT heckling arrest raises hackles — and concern over school policy

The Houston Chronicle ^ | May 7, 2005 | By JEFFREY GILBERT and TERRI LANGFORD

[demkicker]

AUSTIN - Note to hecklers at the University of Texas: When jeering, keep it clean or face possible arrest.

Ajai Raj, a 19-year-old English major, thought he was exercising his right to free speech when he quizzed conservative pundit Ann Coulter on her definition of marriage after a lecture she delivered at the LBJ Library.

Trouble was, he used profanity and then made obscene gestures while walking away from a microphone set up for the question-and-answer portion of Tuesday's event.

Moments later, university police were inside the library's auditorium, handcuffing Raj.

He first thought they were there to tell him to leave, Raj said. Instead, he was told he was under arrest.

"That's the scary part of it ... I asked them what for?" he said Friday. "I kind of recoiled a little bit. They said they didn't know actually. They were just following orders from I don't know who. They were just following orders."

University police say they were following the state's disorderly conduct statute, a Class C misdemeanor that prohibits abusive, profane and vulgar language and obscene gestures in public areas. But some question if Raj's behavior really violated the law.

Continued

[demkicker]

Robert Jensen, a UT journalism professor, said he wasn't at the speech, but he said nothing he has heard or read constitutes disorderly conduct.

And we wonder why there are so many misguided young skulls full of mush in colleges today.

[Luigi Vasellini]

I heard he was asked by police 3 times to leave and did not. He also was resisting arrest. Little whiner!!!

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

He got arrested because he started getting froggy when they asked him to leave.

It's no secret, except to the Houston Chronicle, apparently.

[Piquaboy]

Just another liberal idiot whose vocabulary is limited to profanity. It is a proven fact that people who have to use profanity are stupid and have a limited education.

[andyandval]

Give 'em hell, Ann.

Ann Coulter montage

[Gunrunner2]

>>Ajai Raj, a 19-year-old English major, thought he was exercising his right to free speech when he quizzed conservative pundit Ann Coulter on her definition of marriage <<

Read the police report and you will see clearly it was no mere exercise of free speech and an Innocent question. . .this guy deliberately insulted everyone in the room and in a profane manner. . .he intentionally used words and gestures he knew would offend. That was his point in all this.

[cowboyway]

Robert Jensen, a UT journalism professor, said he wasn't at the speech, but he said nothing he has heard or read constitutes disorderly conduct.

I wonder if Mr. Jensen would make the same statement if some dude named Billy Ray were to shout profanity and make obscene gestures to Hitlery at a gun control speech.

[bahblahbah]

One guy called into Rush and said he was arrested because he wouldn't leave.

[Gay State Conservative]

My guess is that,in this clown's homeland,actions like his often result in being drenched in gasoline and set ablaze. Perhaps he'd be more comfortable back in his homeland.

And for that matter,somebody should check his financial aide status at UT....as well as his immigration status!

[SIDENET]

Robert Jensen, a UT journalism professor, said he wasn't at the speech, but he said nothing he has heard or read constitutes disorderly conduct.

Paul McGreal, a professor at Houston's South Texas College of Law, also is not convinced that the profanity and gestures should have led to an arrest.

I wonder if I went and heckled these profs in their classrooms, using the exact language of Raj, would they have the same views?

[Godebert]

Anyone know this clown's immigration status? Is he here on a student visa or maybe an illegal?

[metesky]

Robert Jensen has issues.

This guy has pretty much been on the FR Watch List since 9/11/01.

[rod1]

He is/was an English major but profanity if the best he could come up with in terms of vocabulary--really impressive.

[sure_fine]

where is the question if he violated it, hell yes he did, and in front of too many wittneses to deny

[Fishing-guy]

I bet they will drop the charges like a hot potato real fast. Sounds like overreaction by the police.

[demkicker]

It's no secret, except to the Houston Chronicle, apparently.

Thanks to articles like this, The Houston Comical is losing readers at record pace. These fools are so out of touch with mainstream Texans they're digging their own graves. It's really kinda fun to sit back and watch....

[randog]

I suppose the Houston Chronicle would be completely understanding if I stood outside their offices with a megaphone shouting obscenities at their employees and making rude hand gestures? Of course, of course they would--it's all about free speech, right?

[demkicker]

I wonder if Mr. Jensen would make the same statement if some dude named Billy Ray were to shout profanity and make obscene gestures to Hitlery at a gun control speech. a protester interrupted him using the same vile language and gesters as he were giving a speech about the state of journalism in this country.

I think not!

[Flightdeck]

The turd shouldn't even be at UT. He's a drug dealer and brags about how he drives all messed up on weed and meth. (Partycampus.com)

[demkicker]

Gosh, you're really tempting me. If only I could be assured that I wouldn't mar my perfect non-arrest record, I'd do it in a flash. But my sensibilities prevail knowing that I'd get tazered, beaten with a night stick and arrested if I pulled that stunt and gave those law breaker lovers at the Houston Chronicle a dose of their own medicine. </ double standard>