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May 16, 2008

Brown student who threw pie at Friedman suspended

PROVIDENCE -- The Brown University student who threw a pie at New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman during his Earth Day speech at the campus was suspended for one semester by the university after an administrative hearing last Wednesday.

The student, Margaree Little, 22, said she was notified of the suspension on Wednesday. She said the university considered her actions in violation of Brown’s protest policy by interrupting Friedman’s speech.

Just as Friedman took his place behind the podium, Little and an unidentified male, ran onto the stage and threw two green Cool Whip pies at him and then fled the auditorium through a side door.

A professor apprehended Little outside the building and turned her over to the campus police.

The "Greenwash Guerillas," part of a grassroots network who confront causes of climate change, later claimed credit for the incident.

The stunt involving the famous author and columnist garnered copious the media attention––a YouTube video of the incident has received more than 75,000 hits and several national newspapers and popular blogs ran the story––including vicious attacks against Little.

Little, an English major, does not face any criminal charges, but her university suspension will delay her.

After all the media attention, and her subsequent suspension, Little said she does nor regret what she did.

“Fortunately, it did succeed in opening up a lot of debate,” Little said. “I don’t have any regrets.”

Little said she has not decided exactly what she will do until she can return to Brown, but she wants to travel and continue to work on social justice issues.

The university had no comment about the suspension, saying only that it does not comment on student disciplinary action.

-- Journal environmental reporter Natalie Garcia

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:45 PM | Permalink

Comments

A pat, not a slap, on the wrist for the little darling.

John | May 16, 2008 4:22 PM link

Margaree, I'll have fries with that. Thank you.

JC | May 16, 2008 4:52 PM link

How many Friedman units will it take for her to be back at Brown? Tom F. deserved it. He's a cheerleader for war. Thanks to him and his ilk was are imprisoned in Eye-rack.

Bob Arino | May 16, 2008 5:18 PM link

Having attended several stimulating public forums at Brown in the past few years, I know that there are always question and answer periods following the speakers. If Little actually had anthing useful to say to "open up a lot of debate," that would have been her opportunity to speak her peace and exercise her intellectual prowess. Instead she chose to act childishly, and came off looking like a dope. Maybe with a semester off she will grow up a little.

Maybe she will grow up a little | May 16, 2008 6:04 PM link

Bob, Friedman didn't deserve to have his speech stifled. What a typical liberal sentiment- anyone you disagree with should be silenced. You and Margaree are made for each other.

As punishments at Brown go, this one is fairly harsh, believe it or not. Drug possession isn't punished with such severity.

I do note, however, that it is surely not any money she EARNED that will be paying for Ms. Little's "travel" and "work on social justice issues."

EMT | May 16, 2008 6:15 PM link

Based upon the spelling in his comment, Bob Arino is probably a Brown University graduate.

Jay

Jay M. | May 16, 2008 8:23 PM link

i'm happy that she stood for what she believed in and is satisfied with her consequences. I'm assuming her parents are footing the bill for her leave of absense, um, exactly what are the consequences of her actions now??? traveling abroad??

kevinfromheaven | May 16, 2008 8:59 PM link

So she's going to work on social justice issues.......Like free speech?......

ken connors | May 16, 2008 9:02 PM link

That was assault, and I am sorry she did not face criminal charges. Friedman could have lost an eye or something. As someone who has a corneal problem, I know even that kind of impact can rupture the eyeball if one has such a disease.

The university should have expelled her and she should be sitting in jail. Then she could think about the difference between expressing an opinion and assault, and, oh yes, what free speech is.

What is a 22 year old doing being an undergraduate anyway?

trudy | May 17, 2008 2:36 AM link

Great - greenwash guerillas - more crazy people. Margaree - did you think about the fact that your stunt was a slap in the face to every person who had a right to listen to TF? Maybe Brown should have just thrown you out - I'd prefer knowing Providence is safe from these mean spirited stunts.

Pam MacWho | May 17, 2008 7:29 AM link

I just love the way Brown University and it's students staunchly defend the first amendment rights of speakers - as long as the speakers parrot left wing ideology.

Tom | May 19, 2008 9:02 AM link

Memo to Jay M (May 16, 8:23 poster)
If Bob Arino is not a Brown grad, he might be a shill for Patrick Kennedy. Refer to his anti-gun comment (May 19 10:58) to the story "Ex-cop held without bail in neighbor's death".

mike | May 19, 2008 1:16 PM link

May 16, 2008

Brown student who threw pie at Friedman suspended

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