Hundreds sign petition after Harvard's student newspaper asks ICE for comment after anti-ICE rally

We missed Lauren Duca’s summer course at New York University, “The Feminist Journalist,” in which she hoped to teach students to do away with the “mental Napalm that I call ‘both sides-ism’ — a kind of classic ‘he said, she said’ form of journalism where the reporter tries to give both sides of an issue, even if one side is completely bogus.”

“You’ll also hear it referred to as ‘balance'” she said in her course description, with “balance” being a bad thing. It’s something we’ve read more and more about ever since President Trump’s inauguration; there’s only the right side, and all others should be “de-platformed.”

Students at Harvard seem to share a similar viewpoint; they’re outraged that the student newspaper, The Crimson, would seek comment from ICE in a story about an abolish ICE protest.

At Harvard, 650 people have signed a petition criticizing the student paper, @thecrimson, for asking ICE to comment following an anti-ICE rally.

Said one protestor, "I have learned … that getting both sides isn't always what is fair"https://t.co/qKXj2HUEdS

— Bill Grueskin (@BGrueskin) October 22, 2019

Important to note @thecrimson wasn't revealing anyone's immigration status. The paper just wanted a response after the rally.
Here's the original story that some found offensive https://t.co/fqJ106uB5O. It included this, "ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment"

— Bill Grueskin (@BGrueskin) October 22, 2019

Oh no! ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment! Burn down the newspaper office!

Also important to note: The university isn't endorsing this, or backing it. This is a petition initiated by independent student groups.

— Bill Grueskin (@BGrueskin) October 22, 2019

And kudos to Crimson President @krisguillaume, who handles this perfectly, and shows why she's a must-hire for some smart news org right after graduation day. https://t.co/raBMIUDmmb

— Bill Grueskin (@BGrueskin) October 22, 2019

The petition — started by student-led immigration advocacy group Act on a Dream earlier this month — criticizes The Crimson for requesting comment from an ICE spokesperson for its Sept. 13 article, “Harvard Affiliates Rally for Abolish ICE Movement.” The article covers a Sept. 12 protest hosted by Act on a Dream and quotes several students’ criticisms of ICE, including calls for its dissolution. The article notes that ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“In this political climate, a request for comment is virtually the same as tipping [ICE] off, regardless of how they are contacted,” the petition reads. “The Crimson, as a student-run publication, has a responsibility to prioritize the safety of the student body they are reporting on — they must reexamine and interrogate policies that place students under threat.”

“A request for comment is virtually the same as tipping ICE off?” Really?

At Harvard, 650 people are idiots https://t.co/5PrL7T14Jw

— Halloween Name Griswold (@HashtagGriswold) October 22, 2019

That number is not intended to be exhaustive

— Halloween Name Griswold (@HashtagGriswold) October 22, 2019

650 is the minimum.

— Dark Stormy Knight (@detective27) October 22, 2019

So let me get this straight.

They were protesting ICE.

But they didn't want ICE to know they were protesting.

What did they think the purpose of protesting is?

— Nick Brown ??? (@nwbvt) October 22, 2019

The death of 'Higher Education' continues apace…

— Never Give Up… (@PCGalloway) October 22, 2019

pic.twitter.com/QypourOX56

— Matthew Nadler (@matthewmuses) October 22, 2019

How to ruin a once great university.

— Cheryl B (@Cheryl707) October 22, 2019

Ah, the university as champions of free thought for all. How bold. Maybe they'll bring back the burning of those who advance unpopular ideas again.

— dizzheart (@dizzheart) October 22, 2019