U.S. attorney visits ISU amid Middle Eastern student controversy
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POCATELLO – An Idaho U.S. Attorney met with Middle Eastern students enrolled at Idaho State University on Thursday to address incidents of harassment and discrimination.
U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson hosted one of 14 U.S. Attorney-sponsored events being held nationwide in an effort to protect civil rights and prevent hate crimes.
“Incidents of discrimination, harassment and violence directed against an entire community because of how they pray or where they pray or what their beliefs are are at odds with our constitution and our values,” Olson said during a news conference at ISU prior to the student meeting.
Olson’s visit comes just days after anti-Muslim DVDs were placed on car windshields near the Rendezvous Complex and around housing areas at ISU.
The DVDs were distributed by a man from another state who has no connection to ISU or Pocatello, Stuart Summers, ISU associate vice president of marketing and communications, told the Idaho State Journal.
Many international students were already on edge after The New York Times published an article focusing on the cultural clash that has occurred in Pocatello as more Middle Eastern students have come to ISU.
Olson acknowledged an increase of hate speech and crimes across the country since the terrorist attacks involving Islamic extremists in San Bernadino, California and Brussels, Belgium.
“The answer to hate speech is healthy speech,” Olson said. “You have protection under the law and we are prepared to respond to incidents of violence and threats directed at members of our communities because of their race, religion, color or national origin.”
Idaho State University President Arthur C. Vailas posted a letter Thursday on the Idaho State University website stating that approximately 50 students from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been victims of off-campus home burglaries over the last several weeks.
“As we can all imagine, home invasions invoke fear, sadness, anger and bewilderment,” Vailas wrote. “Our hearts go out to these affected students as well as their peers, who worry that they may be next.”
Vailas stated that safety and security of students is the preeminent focus of ISU and asked the campus community to reach out and welcome international students.
“Let them know that we want them to stay,” Vailas wrote. “Our ability to attract and retain students who seek a college degree will be impacted because any crimes against students will discourage students from Idaho, the U.S. and the world from enrolling here.
Vailas letter was posted one day after the university issued a statement concerning Middle Eastern students.
READ THE ENTIRE STATEMENT FROM ISU HERE
“As one of the safest campuses in the United States, we are troubled that recent events have caused distress and unease,” the statement read. “ISU is focused on providing an excellent education in a safe and inclusive environment.”
The university said the Office of Public Safety has not received any reports of threat or violence aimed at Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian students enrolled at the university.
“ISU is committed to providing a supportive and safe environment for all of our students,” the statement continued. “ISU stands with anyone who has been affected by intolerance, and we will do everything in our power to correct past problems and promote future opportunities for success.”