Ivy Tech Democrats hold 'silent protest'

During a heated debate in an English class, a student threatened to rip the upside-down American flag off Ivy Tech College Democrat Jonathan Piland's shirt. The flag, which featured the slogan "Turn America Back Around," drew fire and accusations of being unpatriotic, as well as support, from Ivy Tech students Thursday afternoon. About 20 Ivy Tech students wore the flags as part of a protest against George W. Bush's inauguration. Bush was sworn in Thursday morning.\n"A former soldier said the flag was disrespectful, and came up like he was about to come rip it off," Piland said. "I told him to please respect my rights, and I was not going to take it off."\nPiland added he was wearing the flag as a symbol of protest against the government, not soldiers. \n"The upside-down flag is not a symbol of disrespect," Ivy Tech College Democrats President Megan Trusnik, said. "Officially it is a sign of distress, and that is why we decided to wear them; we think our country is in distress."\nThe other part of the protest was a room set up by the College Democrats that was called a "silent protest" against the inauguration. It consisted of a "wall of soldiers" that featured fallen soldiers' pictures and stories, as well as an anti-Bush video and a variety of anti-Bush displays. Throughout the day people came in and out of the room and left with mixed reactions; some students left the room angry, and others left the room crying, Trusnik said.\n"It was mostly silent in here today," Trusnik said. "It was once people got outside that comments were made."\nShe added reception to the "silent protest" was also mixed among current and former soldiers.\n"We had some soldiers upset about the flags and display," Trusnik said, "We had one come in and say 'What you are doing here is great.'"\nSome of those in opposition disagreed with the protest's message, but liked the idea of the protest itself and the ability of students to express their views. \n"Some things bothered me in there, because of my views," said Ivy Tech College Republican Brad Kot. "But it's just good to see people actively doing stuff on campus, so that people can see and think about different things ... It's a lot better then people just voting on someone because they see them on TV and think they look good in a suit." \nThe controversy comes in a semester where Ivy Tech administrators are encouraging students to be more active in clubs on campus.\n"We're trying to get discourse on campus," Assistant Director of Student Life Kara Huddleston said. "It's important for people to get involved and challenge people's thinking."\nShe said although clubs were always allowed on campus, the administration is making it a point to encourage active participation this year. \n"It's great we can express our First Amendment rights," Piland said. "Even if I was a Republican with different views on social issues, I would be happy about how this showed people's ability to express themselves." \n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.