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Nazi leader may not appear hereBy RICH WISEMAN City EditorThe scheduled April 26 Bovard appearance of Joe Tommasi, lieutenant in the Nazi party, may be cancelled because of security risks, it was learned Monday.Daniel Nowak, acting vice-president for student affairs, was to have conferred with President John Hubbard late last week on the matter. Only Hubbard has the authority to cancel a speaker, and only for security reasons, the university’s speaker's policy states.A spokesman from Hubbard's office said Hubbard was very concerned about Tommasi's appearance and will make a decision in the next several days.Kathy Fleming, coordinator of the Forum for Student Awareness, the sponsoring group, said she will proceed with speech preparations until she hears from HubbardAt the behest of Hubbard. Nowak had called a meeting Thursday of Fleming; Robert Mannes. dean for student life; and Brian Heimerl, assistant director of the Student Activities office, to discuss Tom-masi's proposed appearance.It was reported that Nowak expressed concern about possible violence at Tommasi's talk at the meeting because of anticipated opposition from the militant Jewish Defense League**He used the approach that he was concerned, hoping I would say 'no. we won’t have him.’ ” said Fleming. “But 1 didn’t.“I think it would be a beneficial thing for the students to hear him; to know that someone like him exists. I share their concern that there might be trouble. But we’re taking security precautions.1 don’t think there will be a riotWhen informed his appearance might be cancelled. Tommasi was indignant“It’s just another perfect example of hypocrisy of school officials. These people are a bunch of phony charlatans.’’ he said.The administration can be compared to the government under which we’re living—they should all be shot.“I hope violence does erupt on this campus. If the JDL comes down I want to have it out with them. It’s time we lay things on the table Fleming said she had not as yet been contacted by the JDL. No spokesman for the JDL was available for comment Monday.Preparations for Tommasi's appearance had been going smoothly up until Thursday. Fleming. Mannes and Heimerl had met Wednesday with Rabbi Roy Furman of Hillel, at which time various security precautions were outlined. It was decided that Tommasi and his bodyguards would be asked not to wear their uniforms, that student monitors would patrol the auditorium, and that plainclothesmen be asked to attend.Rabbi Furman said he regards Tommasi's appearance with concern but not fear.*’My serious reservation is this: Why should an invitation be extended to Joe Tommasi*’’’ he said. “He is something beyond being a controversial figure as his kind were once involved in genocidal activities. Beyond this. 1 don’t think students will be won over to Nazism. Students, by and large, are sensible.’’Both Mannes and Heimerl have mixed feelings about Tommasi's appearance.The question is can an educational format be maintained in a situation that could be volatile? said Heimerl. “Tommasi's appeal isn’t philosophical. He’s an actor and the audience is his prop Tommasi represents a perspective a lot of people see in a bad light.’’ said Mannes. Then again, a lot of people in the university community weren’t alive during World War 11 and it might be educational to hear a Nazi first-hand.Tommasi and the local Nazi chapter made headlines Jan 30 when a JDL demonstration in front of its El Monte headquarters turned into a minor riot. One week later. Irv Rubin, western states coordinator for the JDL. was taken into custody for allegedly firing at Tommasi’s car on an offramp of the San Bernardino Freeway. Rubin was released, however, because of lack of evidence.JOE TOMMASI — lieutenont in the Nazi party, has been scheduled to appear in Bovard Auditorium on April 26. There is a possibility that his oppearancewill be cancelled due to security risks. This is the second time the Nazi representative has been scheduled to appear. DT photo by Lars Apanel.
Newspaper Details
Los Angeles Southern California University Daily Trojan
Los Angeles, California, US
Tue, Apr 11, 1972
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Alex K.
NA, 20 May 2025
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