Daniel Dropik, the UW student seeking to form a student chapter of the documented hate group American Freedom Party, today acknowledged setting fire to two black churches but promised that he poses no threat today.
“Over ten years ago, I was indicted and sentenced for two counts of racially-motivated arson damaging religious property,” he said in an audio statement released Friday. “This is a true fact. It is also a fact that I regret these violent and wrong acts. I’ve regretted these long before I decided to be a student at UW-Madison and I’ve regretted this long before I decided to have an interest in the alt-right. For those on campus who are just learning about this, who may feel discouraged or sad or hurt, I want to tell you I am sorry.”
Dropik went on to explain that he was mentally ill at time, and acted alone, unaffiliated with any white supremacy groups.
“It’s not an excuse for what I did. I still accept responsibility,” he said.
He also said his five years in prison were positive for him.
“The experience of spending my early 20s in federal prison was very transformative,” he said. “I was very humbled by the experience. In fact it helped me change some of my stereotypes about racial minorities. Living in prison for a long time you get to know people of different kinds. It was actually a very positive thing and helped me grow in that way.”
Dropik said he does not believe AFP to be a hate group, even though it carries that designation from both the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League.
“Me as an individual, in spite of my past, and my activities with this club right now, neither one of these things is centered around racial hatred or desire to do harm to other people based on their racial and ethnic backgrounds…. (Blank) is correct to state that there is no worry about any harm coming from me or any group that I have authority over,” he said.
Dropik came to the attention of campus leaders Wednesday when he began handing out fliers recruiting members for his AFP chapter, which is not yet a registered student organization. UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued a statement late Thursday acknowledging that dissemination of objectionable information is legal, and that UW does not consider criminal background in the admissions process.
“This is intended to ensure that students who have made mistakes, but paid their debt to society, are not prevented from accessing education,” Blank wrote. She went on to say, however, “In light of this situation, I will engage the Board of Regents and the System in a discussion and request that the board consider a review of this policy.”
This drew a strong rebuke from elected student leaders, who note that considering criminal background in admissions would disproportionately affect students of color.
