Racist fliers posted on A&M-CC campus deemed nonthreatening; incident prompts 'unity rally'

What is Corpus Christi known for?

Selena Quintanilla-Perez, known as the "queen of Tejano music;" its beaches and bays; scenic sites; and maybe even the future site of the world's tallest cross.

People aren't quick to associate the Sparkling City by the Sea with white supremacy, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student Daniel Yzaguirre said.

"But now it's here," he said Thursday during a rally on campus that was organized in response to about 30 racist fliers that were posted throughout the school late last month.

More: Students spot, take down white supremacist signs at A&M-CC

The fliers' messages included: "Rapeugees not welcome;" one titled "Chain Migration" that read "End DACA! American Citizens have DREAMS too!;" and another that depicts a pair of Caucasian parents holding a baby titled "You will not replace us."

With a banner that read "Everyone is welcome" as a backdrop, students and members of the Student Citizen Activists of TAMUCC; Carnalismo National Brown Berets Of Corpus Christi; Corpus Christi Solidarity Network and A&M-Corpus Christi associate professor Isabel Araiza denounced the Jan. 27 incident and shared messages of unity and inclusion.

President Kelly Quintanilla announced Feb. 2 the results of the university's investigation into the incident were handed to the Nueces County District Attorney's Office.

More: District Attorney's Office reviewing A&M-Corpus Christi investigation into racist posters

A Tuesday email to students, faculty and staff states the posters were deemed nonthreatening.

“After a review of the case, there was no criminal charges to be filed,” the district attorney’s statement shared by Quintanilla states. “Melissa Madrigal (first DA assistant) stated they advised the media that while the contents of the fliers may be offensive, they do not threaten people or buildings, and it is therefore considered freedom of speech.”

More: A&M-CC president denounces racist flyers posted on campus over the weekend

Quintanilla was out of town Thursday at a Texas A&M University System board of regents meeting. She states in the email the fliers were posted by an outside group.

"They do not and will never reflect the values of the Island University," Quintanilla said.

Some of the posters mention a profile on the social network site Gab, which is a micro-blogging service similar to Twitter that does not suspend or remove users' accounts for posting hate speech or offensive content.

The profile claims responsibility for posting the signs and refers to the incident as a "flier campaign."

The profile's introductory bio reads: "Independent | Alt-Right | Activism | Book Burning Club | On the front lines of the immigration problem! Corpus Christi, Texas."

White supremacists, particularly so-called "alt-right" groups, have actively targeted U.S. college campuses since January 2016, according to a report issued this week by the Anti-Defamation League, an international Jewish nongovernmental organization.

Texas was listed as the No.1 hardest-hit with 61 incidents, according to the report.

On Thursday, Araiza read Langston Hughes' 1935 "Let America be America Again" poem, a well as Gloria E. Anzaldúa's "Don't Give In, Chicanita."

Jenny Espino, a local activist and business owner who spoke on behalf of the Solidarity Network, lamented that the Thursday gathering was prompted by a hate-driven incident.

"But this is where we're at," she said. "What happened on this campus was a frightening reminder of a growing and emboldened racist, right-wing movement. They are a movement that preys on people's fears and insecurities and misdirects people's often rightful rage with the system — not built for any of us — at those most vulnerable to the system."