Clad in orange and chanting against racism, a small crowd gathered on Low Plaza this morning to protest the appearance of David Horowitz, CC ’59, in a rally organized by several student groups.

Horowitz's appearance at Columbia was part of “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week,” a national effort which organizers say raises the profile of oppressive Islamic regimes, but which demonstrators characterized as “offensive” and “hateful.” The controversial campaign has sent speakers to over 100 universities this week, generating acute opposition.

While the rally included some graduate and undergraduate students, the crowd consisted largely of local residents and activists from The World Can’t Wait, a nonprofit organization aimed at driving out the Bush administration.

Demonstrators spoke out against Islamo-Fascism Awareness week as racist and offensive to all Muslims. “Horowitz believes that every person of the Islamic faith, regardless of circumstances or background or plans for the future, is inherently violent or conniving, or somehow untrustworthy,” said Shlomo Bolts, CC ’10, in a speech to the crowd.

“It’s taking an entire belief system and equating it into fascism,” Mahira Chishty, a first-year in the School of Social Work, said. “This is not a political issue—where do you stand on racism?”

Horowitz was also criticized for his conservative ties and allies. “It’s a campaign of demeaning Muslims that’s transparently disguised as an attempt to justify a new war with Iraq and Iran,” said David Judd, CC ’08, and a member of Columbia Coalition Against the War.

Noah Baron, CC ’11, said in a speech he could not take Horowitz seriously until he started organizing against American measures such as the Patriot Act. “People’s rights are not used to make a point,” Baron said.

“This whole program of misinformation is trying to provide a cover for the Bush regime,” said Jonathan Brown of The World Can’t Wait. “It’s providing a cover for bringing a fascist regime into the world.”

“We need to go to shut him down,” said Dan Peyser, School of Social Work, and a member of the Progressive Labor Party. “That means not just asking him tough questions. He should not have a platform to speak from.”