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Bruin Republicans has challenged the Chicana/o student group MEChA to a public debate on Friday to address the merit of MEChA’s founding documents.

Radio talk show host Al Rantel will air the debate on his radio show if members of MEChA attend, aiming to broadcast the debate to L.A. County.

Bruin Republicans’ campaign against MEChA revolves around one of MEChA’s founding documents written in the 1960s, “El Plán de Aztlán.” Part of the text calls for promoting the rights of Chicana/o people over those of other races, a point which MEChA has repeatedly said it does not adhere to. The UCLA chapter actually abides by a different charter. Bruin Republicans said the text is discriminatory and has called for the group to denounce the documents.

“I think it is extremely important that both sides of the argument have an opportunity to express their point of view to the campus, and this is what we hope the debate will do,” said Matthew Knee, a member of Bruin Republicans.

Members of MEChA would not say whether the group will attend the debate, which would take place in Moore Hall at 7 p.m.

“We have previously made many attempts to talk with members of Bruin Republicans. If they were interested in a dialogue or debate, they would have taken advantage of the opportunity beforehand,” said Elizabeth Alamillo, chairwoman of MEChA.

Bruin Republicans members hope their advertisement in the Daily Bruin will strengthen their campaign. The advertisement formally challenges MEChA to the debate.

“We want them to denounce their document, ‘El Plán de Aztlán,’ and continue to do positive work on campus. The document contains serious issues that they need to address,” said Jonathan Cayton, chairman of Bruin Republicans.

After appearing on Rantel’s show in February, the group has received over $28,000 in donations from listeners, some of whom support their campaign against MEChA.