UNM violated law flying Mexican flag on its own

Editor,

My name is Peter Ryan Lynch, and I am a student at UNM. I am a decorated eight-year veteran of the U.S. military, honorably discharged in July. I am appalled that a foreign flag flew unaccompanied on a UNM campus flagpole for three days, including a U.S. holiday. I am an American who is passionate about our country, and I would feel the same way if it were any foreign flag.

The Mexican flag was flying over UNM campus unaccompanied by an American flag on U.S. Constitution Day, Sept. 17.

According to the United States Code (federal law): "The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on Constitution Day, September 17. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution .... The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse."

Throughout history, flying a nation's banner is a claim of ownership. To do this on U.S. Constitution Day is an insult to all Americans. I am outraged that the UNM administration allowed this to happen. I thought the administration would address the issue before my class was over. I left class, and the foreign banner was still unaccompanied. I went to the dean's office pleading for action. I also notified the Army ROTC, which has the honor of raising and lowering the U.S. flag on campus this month. I waited one to 1 1/2 hours after these notifications to take action myself. I made a profound statement and tore down this foreign banner. My actions, although overzealous, were warranted.

Americans have one of the most diverse cultures on the planet. We embrace our differences, and unless you are a foreign visitor or illegal immigrant, your nationality is American. We are all equals under the Constitution and the Stars and Stripes that protect us. Americans should fly their nation's banner with pride.

UNM is a public institution governed by the laws of our nation. But on Sept. 17, federal law was broken. Americans are insulted, and I am livid. With all the press coverage, only Julian Martinez said anything in my defense. Furthermore, the press has a responsibility to gather all facts before printing.

I would like to assure El Centro de la Raza that hate or racism did not motivate my actions. I ask the UNM administration, specifically President David Schmidly, interim vice president for institutional diversity Rita Martinez-Purson and vice president for student affairs Cheo Torres, to apologize to all American students, including Mexican-American students, for allowing a foreign banner to fly over UNM for three days in violation of federal law.

Peter Ryan Lynch

UNM student