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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThousands Of Protestors Show Up In Florida To Drown Out Richard Spencers Hate
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/thousands-of-protestors-show-up-in-florida-to-drown-out-richard-spencers-hate_us_59e8a469e4b00905bdaf1141?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009GAINESVILLE, Fla. Thousands of people turned up Thursday at the University of Florida to protest an afternoon speech by a prominent white supremacist, making their message clear: Richard Spencer, and those like him, are not welcome.
Well before Spencers speech, set to start at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) at a place that did not invite him, a mass of protestors was on hand to greet him.
Not in our town, not in our state, we dont want your Nazi hate! protestors chanted as they made their way to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where Spencer was to appear. Other popular chants included Alt-right you cant hide, you support genocide! and No Trump, no KKK, no Facist USA!
There were no initial reports of violence prior to Spencers speech.
marybourg
(12,637 posts)felt obligated to give him a platform, just because he asked for it. Can anyone ask for such a platform and be granted it as of right? Or only those people who might sue? Or only controversial people? Has anyone heard a discussion of this? I haven't.
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)if they were obliged because it is a state school, why weren't all media allowed to attend.
marybourg
(12,637 posts)for anyone who wants to appear? Are they offering a hall rental service that's considered a public accomodation? That would be the only reason I can come up with in a situation where they have not been invited, but have demanded to appear.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)However, the 1st Amendment doesn't say you can't bill the speaker for providing security to protect against his "guests." In this case, that's about $1,000 a pop.
Elwood P Dowd
(11,443 posts)MichMary
(1,714 posts)for a public university (government institution) to deny him the right to speak? First Amendment, and all . . .
Elwood P Dowd
(11,443 posts)"A federal judge granted Spencer's request for an injunction, effectively ordering Auburn to host his speaking event."
"While Mr. Spencer's beliefs and message are controversial, Auburn presented no evidence that Mr. Spencer advocates violence," U.S. District Court Judge W. Keith Watkins said in his ruling, noting that peaceable free speech is protected by the Constitution.
MichMary
(1,714 posts)If he isn't advocating violence, then there are no grounds to deny him a platform?
FSogol
(45,529 posts)marybourg
(12,637 posts)like a town square, where all have the right speak? Do they have to be provided a room? Security?
mcar
(42,376 posts)Spencer invited himself and paid the rental fee. They only charged him 10k for security, which was really stupid.
marybourg
(12,637 posts)I hadn't heard that said before. It's a public accommodation, then.
mcar
(42,376 posts)FSogol
(45,529 posts)That's Spencer's game. Fighting in court for attention and blaming protesters for the violence he instigates.
The_Casual_Observer
(27,742 posts)It's a fucking mess for spencer and his stooges.
Brother Buzz
(36,469 posts)I am a dissident intellectual - Richard Spencer
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)The few scattered Nazis are going to end up having to change their underwear too.
mcar
(42,376 posts)Phillips Center isn't even close to half full and most attendees are shouting "go home Spencer."