The College Republicans chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire is under fire from local lawmakers and organizations after posting photos from a Halloween event where a student is dressed as a U.S Immigration and Customs agent arresting another student.
Posted Oct. 28 to the group’s Instagram page, the photo depicted an individual in a black vest with “ICE” lettering putting handcuffs on another individual dressed in a bandana and white tank top. Both are facing away from the camera.
The original photo has been deleted, but has since been reshared on other social media accounts. Other costumes at the event included a person in a rainbow sweater holding a “No Kings” sign, a Statue of Liberty and a wizard.
Neither the UW–Eau Claire College Republicans nor the Republican Party of Eau Claire County responded to the Journal Sentinel’s requests for comment.
In a statement to the Journal Sentinel, UW-Eau Claire said it was aware of the incident and clarified the event was not organized by the university.
Here’s how other groups have responded to the costume and subsequent backlash:
College and state Democrats condemn ICE agent Halloween costume
College and state Democrats have condemned the costume for seemingly mocking recent, widespread immigrant arrests.
In a statement to the Journal Sentinel, UW-Eau Claire College Democrats called the costume “distasteful.”
“With ICE becoming a presence in more communities and schools, fear and uncertainty have become an inevitable reality for many students,” the College Democrats said. “As college campuses grapple with the appropriate response to this unprecedented situation, it is up to student organizations to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.”
The organization added, “Making light of a serious reality for people is never something a UWEC student organization should support or promote.”
The state Democratic Party’s 3rd Congressional District also released a statement Oct. 29 denouncing the costume and the “hateful and discriminatory actions taken by members of the UW–Eau Claire College Republicans.”
The costume with the white tank top and bandanna appeared to stereotype Latino immigrants, the release said.
William Garcia, chair of the 3rd Congressional District, told the Journal Sentinel the Democratic group is not interesting in calling out specific students, but rather questioning the organization’s decision to publicize the costume.
“These organizations are paid for by student fees… and that means that we’ve got people of color, Latino students, who paid to be mocked,” he said.
Garcia also called on UW-Eau Claire to investigate whether the costume breached any terms that student organizations have to follow in exchange for university funding.
The university’s student organization handbook advises groups to be “respectful and positive” in their social media posts.
“This does not seem respectful to me,” Garcia said.
Republicans say students’ costumes are protected by the First Amendment
As pictures of the costume spread online, state Republicans chimed in to defend the students.
On Facebook, Brady Penfield, an organizer with Turning Point Action and former state Assembly candidate, said he will notify legislators if the university takes any action against the students.
“I unequivocally stand with the UWEC College Republicans and their freedom of speech,” Penfield wrote. “They have done nothing against policy and their actions are protected under the first amendment.”
Fred Kappus, chair of the Eau Claire County Republican Party, told WKOW-TV that he attended the Halloween event and saw a “group of responsible college students having a good time.”
He said the College Republicans group is “very inclusive,” and the Democrats’ news release sought to “to smear, besmirch and portray these conservative students as racists.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Eau Claire College Republicans under fire for ‘distasteful’ ICE agent Halloween costume
Reporting by Cailey Gleeson and Maia Pandey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
