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UNM violated law flying Mexican flag on its own
Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: Opinion
Editor,
My name is Peter Ryan Lynch, and I am a student at UNM. I am a decorated eight-year veteran of the U.S. military, honorably discharged in July. I am appalled that a foreign flag flew unaccompanied on a UNM campus flagpole for three days, including a U.S. holiday. I am an American who is passionate about our country, and I would feel the same way if it were any foreign flag.
The Mexican flag was flying over UNM campus unaccompanied by an American flag on U.S. Constitution Day, Sept. 17.
According to the United States Code (federal law): "The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on Constitution Day, September 17. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution .... The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse."
Throughout history, flying a nation's banner is a claim of ownership. To do this on U.S. Constitution Day is an insult to all Americans. I am outraged that the UNM administration allowed this to happen. I thought the administration would address the issue before my class was over. I left class, and the foreign banner was still unaccompanied. I went to the dean's office pleading for action. I also notified the Army ROTC, which has the honor of raising and lowering the U.S. flag on campus this month. I waited one to 1 1/2 hours after these notifications to take action myself. I made a profound statement and tore down this foreign banner. My actions, although overzealous, were warranted.
Americans have one of the most diverse cultures on the planet. We embrace our differences, and unless you are a foreign visitor or illegal immigrant, your nationality is American. We are all equals under the Constitution and the Stars and Stripes that protect us. Americans should fly their nation's banner with pride.
UNM is a public institution governed by the laws of our nation. But on Sept. 17, federal law was broken. Americans are insulted, and I am livid. With all the press coverage, only Julian Martinez said anything in my defense. Furthermore, the press has a responsibility to gather all facts before printing.
I would like to assure El Centro de la Raza that hate or racism did not motivate my actions. I ask the UNM administration, specifically President David Schmidly, interim vice president for institutional diversity Rita Martinez-Purson and vice president for student affairs Cheo Torres, to apologize to all American students, including Mexican-American students, for allowing a foreign banner to fly over UNM for three days in violation of federal law.
Peter Ryan Lynch
UNM student
My name is Peter Ryan Lynch, and I am a student at UNM. I am a decorated eight-year veteran of the U.S. military, honorably discharged in July. I am appalled that a foreign flag flew unaccompanied on a UNM campus flagpole for three days, including a U.S. holiday. I am an American who is passionate about our country, and I would feel the same way if it were any foreign flag.
The Mexican flag was flying over UNM campus unaccompanied by an American flag on U.S. Constitution Day, Sept. 17.
According to the United States Code (federal law): "The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on Constitution Day, September 17. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution .... The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse."
Throughout history, flying a nation's banner is a claim of ownership. To do this on U.S. Constitution Day is an insult to all Americans. I am outraged that the UNM administration allowed this to happen. I thought the administration would address the issue before my class was over. I left class, and the foreign banner was still unaccompanied. I went to the dean's office pleading for action. I also notified the Army ROTC, which has the honor of raising and lowering the U.S. flag on campus this month. I waited one to 1 1/2 hours after these notifications to take action myself. I made a profound statement and tore down this foreign banner. My actions, although overzealous, were warranted.
Americans have one of the most diverse cultures on the planet. We embrace our differences, and unless you are a foreign visitor or illegal immigrant, your nationality is American. We are all equals under the Constitution and the Stars and Stripes that protect us. Americans should fly their nation's banner with pride.
UNM is a public institution governed by the laws of our nation. But on Sept. 17, federal law was broken. Americans are insulted, and I am livid. With all the press coverage, only Julian Martinez said anything in my defense. Furthermore, the press has a responsibility to gather all facts before printing.
I would like to assure El Centro de la Raza that hate or racism did not motivate my actions. I ask the UNM administration, specifically President David Schmidly, interim vice president for institutional diversity Rita Martinez-Purson and vice president for student affairs Cheo Torres, to apologize to all American students, including Mexican-American students, for allowing a foreign banner to fly over UNM for three days in violation of federal law.
Peter Ryan Lynch
UNM student
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Dan Valdez
posted 9/25/07 @ 11:38 AM MST
Mr. Lynch,
I thank you for your service to you country, however you actions disgraced your oath, citizenship, and service. You had no authority, permission, ethical, or moral reason to touch any part of the flag. (Continued…)
Andy Taylor
posted 9/25/07 @ 1:31 PM MST
I will stand beside you in defense. I am also a decorated vetern of 10 years in the U.S. Military. I would have likely done the same thing, if I had noticed the flag flying unaccompied. (Continued…)
Adeline
posted 9/25/07 @ 2:29 PM MST
This letter clears up much of the story. For me, reading the other articles/letters prior gave me a completely different opinion on this matter. But after reading the letter of the person who did it, I have different view. (Continued…)
Helene McNeill
posted 9/25/07 @ 3:33 PM MST
Dear Peter,
Welcome to New Mexico and UNM. And thank you for your service to our country-truly. My name is Helene Terese McNeill and though no longer a student, but rather, alumni and instructor, my father served in Vietnam (being drafted as an American born abroad in FRANCE!) and my mother's family has been in New Mexico since the 18th c. (Continued…)
Andy Ryan
posted 9/25/07 @ 3:34 PM MST
Peter,
You are hero in my book. I wish more students thought like you. This was a disgraceful act on the part of UNM. You are right and just in your actions. (Continued…)
JM
posted 9/25/07 @ 3:47 PM MST
Mr. Lynch,
Your actions are to be commended for little, other than fueling a very short-sighted and ugly phenomenon that has festered in our nation under the guise of "patriotism. (Continued…)
This American
posted 9/25/07 @ 4:11 PM MST
God Bless Peter Lynch. Thank you for your service to this great nation, Peter. I find it rather hypocritical that the university feels it is a hate crime to remove and tear a foreign flag, but has NO problem with allowing a foreign flag to be flown, with impunity, on an AMERICAN campus. (Continued…)
IBMMuseum
posted 9/25/07 @ 5:21 PM MST
Peter,
I can understand how you feel, but from a fellow New Mexican veteran I will say that you acted in error. There aren't statements in the U.S. (Continued…)
Richard M. Berthold
posted 9/25/07 @ 5:45 PM MST
I fully support the actions of Peter Lynch. While I believe free expression, guaranteed in the Constitution, gives any American the right to tear up an American flag as a statement of protest, the fact remains the our flag is the symbol of our values and our national sovereignty, and as such should always enjoy a place of prominence. (Continued…)
l krimsky
posted 9/25/07 @ 8:17 PM MST
Editor,
If indeed the events occured as Mr. Lynch reports, then his actions are quite understandable. He should not have torn the flag, but if he reported the problem to seemingly proper authorities with no response, his frustration and consequential action is understandable as well. (Continued…)
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