A speech by L. Paul Bremer, the former head of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, was disrupted yesterday at Michigan State University. As Bremer gave a speech defending the invasion of Iraq and the United States' continued presence in Iraq, Bremer was disrupted by protestors yelling that he was a war criminal and demanding that he answer questions about the human cost of the occupation. According to corporate press reports, two people were arrested after continuing to demand that Bremer address the human costs of the occupation. The protestors included members of a variety of Lansing-based community and student groups including Direct Action, Students for Economic Justice, Students for Peace and Justice, and Students for Palestinian Human Rights.

Bremer's appearance at Michigan State University was another example of what many students see as an unreasonably close relationship between university president M. Peter McPherson and the Bush administration. The relationship has included inviting members of the Bush administration such as L. Paul Bremer and National Security Advisor Condoleezza. McPherson was released by the MSU Board of Trustees to serve 130 days in Iraq to "oversee the economic restructuring of Iraq." McPherson, who was an enthusiastic supporter of the Iraq war, argued at the time that it was essential for the United States to create a climate conducive to free-market capitalism and privatization in Iraq stating that "If you don't do enough to create a political constituency for privatization now, then it will get killed in the cradle." While questions have persisted about McPherson's political ties, he remains willing to host speakers supportive of his and the Bush administration's agenda.