At least 19 copies of a threatening flier circulated by a fascist organization and encouraging violence against the National Women's Rights Organizing Coalition and other local political groups have been placed around campus this week.
The flier, which contains decals of axes and clenched fists, promotes violence as a way of stopping "left-wing propaganda," and accuses the Maoist International Movement (MIM), the international communist group SPARK, and NWROC of "twisting the truth."
One line in the flier suggests that readers "STRIKE to KILL!"
RC first-year student Micah Holmquist, a member of the Free Mumia Coalition/Anti-Racist Action organization first noticed the flier Monday on a kiosk outside of the undergraduate library.
Holmquist said the flier was "clearly a death threat" against the political organizations named.
NWROC member Jessica Curtin claimed the threats are directed more toward NWROC than other groups. NWROC is the most active of those organizations named in the flier.
"I do know that there were quite a few of them on the poles outside of my house," Curtin said.
Curtin said group members do not fear further repercussions. "We think it's some pretty reactionary, racist, and anti-communist students," she said.
"We do think that whoever the comedian is, they'd better reconsider their actions," Curtin added.
The group distributing the flier called itself the People's United Nationalist Council (PUNCH!). A contact address was listed in Hell, Mich.
Rackham second-year student and Free Mumia Coalition/Anti-Racist Action group member Paul Lefrak said the flier's message should not be taken lightly. "I think these things need to be taken deadly seriously," Lefrak said at the group's weekly meeting last night at East Quad residence hall.