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Students gather around a display on Bruin Walk sponsored by Bruin Republicans, who have denounced

The weekly meeting of the undergraduate student government Tuesday night overflowed with supporters of the Chicana/o organization MEChA, who were there to protest allegations made by the Bruin Republicans that the organization subscribes to racist views.

The Bruin Republicans made a presentation to the Undergraduate Students Association Council addressing concerns they have with “El Plan de Aztlan,” one of the founding documents of MEChA in the late 1960s. Some of the document text promotes the rights of the Chicana/o community while suppressing those of European descent.

The literal text also calls for the return of the Southwestern United States to Mexico, though members said they do not follow this particular ideology. This concept also came under fire during the 2003 California recall election when Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante was criticized for his involvement with the group while at Fresno State University.

The Bruin Republicans are asking MEChA to denounce the founding document, which they believe promotes violence and is damaging to the organization’s reputation as a group providing community service, outreach and student retention.

“I don’t see why an upstanding student group has to be stuck with a racist ideology,” said Bruin Republican member Matthew Knee.

MEChA chairwoman Elizabeth Alamillo said the document was made by founding members to protest racist activity against the Chicana/o community.

“We will stand by the ‘El Plan de Aztlan’ because it has guided us,” Alamillo said.

MEChA members said they now focus on providing students access to education. They accused the Bruin Republicans of racism against students of color.

Doug Ludlow, president of the Bruin Democrats and a former Daily Bruin Viewpoint columnist, said he understands the Bruin Republicans’ cause but believes they may come off as unintentionally racist.

“I doubt they harbor racist views; it’s not what UCLA stands for,” Ludlow said.

Alamillo said that although “El Plan de Aztlan” is used as a founding document, it was not created specifically for MEChA but for any organization calling for the rights of the Chicana/o community. The MEChA chapter of UCLA has its own document, called “El Plan de Santa Barbara.”

Cheers and claps in the meeting room resonated out into the fourth-floor Kerckhoff hallways, where MEChA supporters such as members of Samahang Pilipino and Queer Alliance stood after spilling out of the packed room.

Mariam Jukaku of the Muslim Student Association said after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, MEChA provided support to Muslim students.

Kian Boloori, chairman of the Queer Alliance, said the alliance stands in strong solidarity with MEChA.

But some supporters made non-germane comments against the Bruin Republicans. One member of MEChA accused members of the Bruin Republicans of not helping the community, but rather “receiving money from their rich parents.”

Several councilmembers said the Bruin Republicans should have addressed their concerns directly to MEChA rather than curbing the organization and coming to USAC.

Moritz said they had tried contacting MEChA several times over the past couple months but never received a response. Alamillo refuted this assertion.

“The only type of note we received was on the door asking us to denounce (the document),” Alamillo said. “But there was nothing to encourage a meeting and no contact info.”

Along with asking MEChA to denounce their founding document, the Bruin Republicans are planning to propose a resolution for USAC to de-sponsor and freeze funding for the group.

Three council signatories are needed to put a resolution on the agenda. With this year’s council having a majority of Students First! slate, a slate which has traditionally supported MEChA, the prospect of passing such a resolution is not likely.

As a part of their campaign, the Bruin Republicans set up a table on Bruin Walk to promote their cause.

“They take stereotypes and try to use them for their advantage. ... MEChA as a whole tries to help, yet they attack us for no reason,” said Mike Speltie, a representative of the Affirmative Action Coalition.

With reports from Jennifer Case, Bruin contributor.