Republican candidate for Texas governor Greg Abbott linked his opponent, Wendy Davis, to Satanism when he responded to the news that his former staffer was the organizer for a cancelled ‘Catch an Illegal Immigrant’ game at the University of Texas.
Lorenzo Garcia, a former Abbott staffer and chairman of the UT chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) said that the immigrant game was intended “to spark a campus-wide discussion about the issue of illegal immigration,” but after receiving national attention, the event was cancelled.
This is not the first time the Young Conservatives of Texas have used controversial tactics. In September they held an “Affirmative Action Bake Sale” where they charged different prices for the same baked goods based on the buyer’s ethnicity and gender.
Garcia explained in a statement that he was concerned “the university will retaliate against them and that the protest against the event could create a safety issue for our volunteers.”
Bill Powers, University President, also released a statement saying that the “proposed YCT event is completely out of line with the values we espouse at The University of Texas at Austin.”
A statement from UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa and Board of Regents Chairman Paul L. Foster said that it was “both disappointing and dishonorable for any UT student to treat another with disrespect, and we hope that the Young Conservatives of Texas explore more constructive and mature ways to promote a dialogue about issues of concern to them.”
Abbott’s campaign quickly figured a way to pivot the conversation away from his association with the cancelled event into an attack on his opponent, Wendy Davis, and connect her to Satan.
Abbott spokesperson Avdiel Huerta released a statement: “Our campaign has no affiliation with this repugnant effort. Illegal immigration and the failed policies of the Obama Administration are not a joking matter. Conservatives should not stoop to the level of liberals, whose shenanigans at the Texas Capitol this summer, including chants of ‘hail Satan’ during Senator Davis’ filibuster to allow abortions after five months, did nothing but sidetrack the Texas Legislature.”
 |
Kimberley A. Johnson (BIO) is the author of The Virgin Diaries and an activist for women’s rights. Like her on Facebook, Twitter or follow her on FB HERE. |
You must be logged in to post a comment Login