Editing MEChA (section)

==Controversies==
*In May 1995, ''Voz Fronteriza'', a publication of the MEChA chapter at the [[University of California, San Diego]] published an editorial entitled "Death of a Migra Pig," which celebrated the recent death of Luis A. Santiago, a Latino [[Immigration and Naturalization Service]] (INS) officer who died in the line of duty. The editorial stated that Santiago was a "traitor...to his race," and that "We're glad this pig died, he deserved to die," and argued, "All the Migra pigs should be killed, every single one...the only good one is a dead one...The time to fight back is now. It is time to organize an anti-Migra patrol...It is to [sic] bad that more Migra pigs didn't die with him." The article generated public outrage, and Congressman [[Duncan L. Hunter]] threatened to pursue legislation that would eliminate federal funding for UCSD. UCSD defended the paper's right to publish the editorial, arguing that it was protected by Freedom of Speech.<ref>"Rep. Hunter demands apology; student editorial said border agents should die," Jeff Ristine, San Diego Union-Tribune, July 6, 1995.</ref><ref>[http://www.thefire.org/index.php/article/72.html Student Humor Magazine Prosecuted for Parody at UCSD: University Decision Expected This Week], Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), June 18, 2002.</ref>{{unreliable source?|certain=y|reason=[[Foundation for Individual Rights in Education]] is an advocacy group, not a reliable source for facts.|date=January 2018}}<ref>[http://www.thefire.org/article/11606.html Double Standards at UCSD] by Samantha Harris, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), February 25, 2010.</ref>{{unreliable source?|certain=y|reason=[[Foundation for Individual Rights in Education]] is an advocacy group, not a reliable source for facts.|date=January 2018}}
*On May 11, 1993, Chicano students at [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) caused damage to the Faculty Center estimated between $35,000 to $50,000 during a riot which ensued following the university administration's rejection of the creation of a Chicano Studies program, an announcement that was made on the eve of César Chávez's funeral.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,95871,00.html Bustamante Won't Renounce Ties to Chicano Student Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615033336/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,95871,00.html |date=2006-06-15 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bruinalumni.com/antonio/villar3.html|title=Bruin Alumni Association - Antonio Villaraigosa Educational Campaign - Chapter 3|website=Bruinalumni.com|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref> Following this incident, MEChA students organized peaceful demonstrations at UCLA, including a 14-day hunger strike which garnered support from several California state leaders and ultimately resulted in the establishment of The César Chávez Center.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uclahistoryproject.ucla.edu/Fun/ThisMonth_JunTent.asp |title=This Month in History |access-date=2010-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707140722/http://www.uclahistoryproject.ucla.edu/fun/ThisMonth_JunTent.asp |archive-date=2010-07-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*In February 2002, MEChA members were accused of theft of an entire press run of a particular issue of the [[University of California, Berkeley|UC Berkeley]] conservative newspaper ''[[California Patriot]]'' which was featuring an article that labelled MEChA a "neo-Nazi"-like organization. Police reported that over 3,000 copies (valued at $1,500 - $2,000) were stolen during a break-in at the Patriot office in Eshleman Hall. The issue of the paper included an article, entitled "MEChA: Student Funded Bigotry and Hate," blames the group for impeding "advances in civil rights toward a colorblind American society" through "anti-American hate" and "a mentality that leads its adherents to believe anyone who is white and male is to blame for any historical injustice." The article written by the ''California Patriot'' staff, which [[Time magazine]] described as reveling in their roles as provocateurs, included controversial remarks made by a separate organization that were falsely attributed to MEChA. MEChA denied any involvement in the incidents and "condemns harassment," said Livia Rojas, a leader in the group. The case was ultimately dropped as insufficient evidence was found to implicate any suspects.<ref>[http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/2002/march_2002_3.html ''California Patriot'' Stolen at UC-Berkeley] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414004715/http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/2002/march_2002_3.html |date=2005-04-14 }}.</ref>{{unreliable source?|certain=y|reason=[[Accuracy in Academia]] is an advocacy group, not a reliable source for facts.|date=January 2018}}<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230501112636/https://www.dailycal.org/article/7838]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030203-411416,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041026072335/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030203-411416,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 26, 2004 | magazine=Time | title=A Vigorous Voice from The Right &mdash; at Berkeley! | first=R. Tyler | last=Hillman | date=January 30, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastbayexpress.com/eastbay/white-powder-bronze-culture/Content?oid=1067160|title=White Powder, Bronze Culture|first=Melissa|last=Hung|website=East Bay Express|date=27 March 2002|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref>
*On May 18, 2006, nearly 2,000 copies (of a total run of 5,000 copies) of ''The Courier'' were removed from newspaper boxes on the Pasadena, California, campus, torn in half and returned to the paper's campus office with a signed note claiming responsibility. The letter expressed disappointment for the lack of coverage provided for a MEChA-hosted event on May 12, 2006, which had involved "months of hard work". It ended stating: "As students of P.C.C., we can not accept this issue of the Campus Courier."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcc-courieronline.com/052506/news/vandals.html |title=Vandals Shred Campus Newspapers — May 25, 2006 — PCC-CourierOnline |access-date=2006-06-01 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070717143121/http://www.pcc-courieronline.com/052506/news/vandals.html |archive-date=2007-07-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, student leaders of MEChA on campus maintained that the group as a whole was not responsible for the incident. A subsequent investigation determined that the theft had been committed by an individual MEChA member who admitted to acting alone. The student was ordered by the university to serve community service hours and repay the costs for the damaged issues. The Courier's advisor said that there was no lingering animosity between the paper and MEChA and that leaders from both organizations had met to discuss the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splc.org/news/newsflash.asp?id=1341|title=Student admits to stealing, shredding California papers|website=Splc.org|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230133147/http://www.splc.org/news/newsflash.asp?id=1341|archive-date=2010-12-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>