DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Protesters at Duke University rallied against a fraternity that promoted a party with fliers that looked like expired green cards, T-shirts with the image of a drunken Mexican and a mock border patrol checkpoint at the door.
"Everything that I am -- my family, customs, culture and language -- was violated,'' said Sandra Sanchez, who helped organize the demonstration Monday at Duke Chapel. "The stereotypes of drunk Mexicans and border crossing was hurtful.''
Several speakers told about 75 students, professors and administrators that the Sept. 13 Sigma Chi party inflamed their long-held belief that Duke has ignored its Latino students, who make up about 7 percent of the school's enrollment.
Sigma Chi president Marc Mattioli, who said he is Latino, apologized and said the fraternity was not racist.
He said the fraternity was talking with leaders of the Latino community to develop an education program for fraternity members and Duke community.
The party "was designed to be a lighthearted celebration of the Mexican tourism scene,'' Mattioli wrote in a letter published in Duke's student newspaper, The Chronicle.
"In no way was it intended to imply a political or social statement about Mexico, Mexican-Americans, immigrants or immigration policy,'' he wrote. "Obviously, it did not come off as such.''
