Re: Letters to the Editor/Brown Teach-in (Oct. 10/Sept. 26)

I was at the event at Brown University, where the PLO ambassador gave a talk, that Nina Tannenwald referenced. According to Ms. Tannenwald, all the non-students were collectively punished because a couple walked out of a different event. The punishment of not being able to ask questions had only the effect of censoring the open exchange of ideas. In fact, at the event, there was never any explanation given as to why questions by non-students were banned. The event turned out to be a one-sided talk by a representative of the PLO spouting distorted views of Israel, with a large part of the audience unable to challenge him. This is not the kind of event I expect at a university that is supposed to encourage intellectual debate. Next time Brown University, Hillel or the Jewish students, plan on arbitrarily punishing a group of people for something they had nothing to do with, I hope they state it clearly when the event is advertised. I want to know when my right to free speech is going to be denied.

Harry Feld

Providence, R.I.