Though forced to reschedule because of security concerns, a debate on immigration will be held today to present students with two opposing views as to whether the California-Mexico border should be closed or kept open.
The debate features Carl Braun, the executive director of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of California, a group that regulates border security between California and Mexico, and Yaron Brook, the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.
The two speakers will discuss border policies and the economic impact of immigration, as well as accept questions from the audience.
L.O.G.I.C. (Liberty, Objectivism, Greed, Individualism, Capitalism) chose to host the debate because border issues are so prevalent in the news today, said Arthur Lechtholz-Zey, chief executive officer of L.O.G.I.C.
The club originally scheduled to hold the debate in February, but the event was cancelled at the last minute because L.O.G.I.C. could not pay the $15,000 the university required for extra security after the club was informed that several student groups, including Students for a Democratic Society, planned to protest.
The administration’s security concerns stemmed from the expected protests and a similar immigration debate held at Columbia University, during which students chased a Minuteman speaker off the stage.
SDS planned to protest the event in February because they said Braun’s speech was hateful.
For today’s debate, L.O.G.I.C. is paying almost $1,000 for 10 Contemporary Services Corporation security officers, while UCLA will pay for university police officers at the event. Lechtholz-Zey said he expects about 20 UCPD officers will be present at the debate.
Nancy Greenstein, director of police community services for UCPD, did not disclose the number of officers working the event, but did say the number of officers staffed depends on various criteria, including the number of attendees and whether high-profile guests participate.
Attendees will have their bags searched and metal-detecting wands will be used on each individual, Lecthholz-Zey said.
Both speakers chose to participate in the event regardless of the rescheduling and possible protests.
“(Brook) thinks the issue is really important for everyone here in America,” said David Holcberg, a representative of the Ayn Rand Institute. The institute works to spread objectivist ideas and supports student objectivist clubs throughout the United States, according to its Web site.
Brook plans to stress individual rights, especially the rights to economic freedom.
Lechtholz-Zey said he hopes people will peacefully attend the debate and does not anticipate large protests even though students organized in February for a pro-immigration rally.
SDS and MEChA ““ two student groups that opposed the debate in February ““ have chosen not to protest this time because they will be participating in International Workers Day, celebrated annually on May 1.
In past years Latino workers, many of who came to the U.S. as immigrants, have participated in marches and demonstrations on May 1, and UCLA students will continue this tradition, said Daniela Conde, chairwoman of MEChA.
“(MEChA) chose to participate (in other activities) because the day is a very important tradition for MEChA and a huge issue for our community,” Conde said.
SDS, a student group which hosted a protest against the immigration debate in February though the debate was cancelled, will also be participating in International Workers Day activities.
Babken der Grigorian, a member of SDS, said the group will spend today doing “more important things” instead of protesting the debate, including a march in downtown Los Angeles.
Lechtholz-Zey said it is a coincidence that the debate is being held on May 1.