University of Florida cancels white supremacist event

[NightWatcher]

http://wsvn.com/news/local/university-of-florida-denies-white-supremacist-event/

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The University of Florida is denying a request by a group headed by white supremacist Richard Spencer to rent space on the campus for a September event.

UF President W. Kent Fuchs said in a statement Wednesday that the decision was made after assessing risks to the campus, community and law enforcement following last weekend’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Spencer, the head of the National Policy Institute, had contacted the university for plans to rent space on the campus in Gainesville, Florida next month.

In denying the request, Fuchs said he finds Spencer’s racist rhetoric “repugnant and counter to everything the university and this nation stands for.”

Fuchs said UF is dedicated to free speech and public discourse, but the First Amendment doesn’t require risk of imminent violence to students.

As a UGA guy, I'm happy for the first time to say "Go Gators"

[katmondoo]

1. I live in Gainesville and I couldnt be happier

[dalton99a]

2. Other public universities should do the same.

Resist.

[workinclasszero]

4. They better because its a guaranteed riot

The next time President Trump's night riders and storm troopers hold a "rally".

[Elwood P Dowd]

11. Auburn University tried to block them a few months ago, but the bastards got a Federal Judge to

order Auburn to let them speak on campus.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

12. The University President should have stayed with the safety issue.

Because it is a safety issue.

Bringing up the repugnant speech will muddy the water and give the Nazis ammunition in court

[Weekend Warrior]

3. As an alumn I support this decision.

They allow extremely controversial people to hold events on campus. This would not have been educational. It would have caused great harm to the university and community.

[kydo]

5. As a Gator gal, right back at cha' "Go Georgia Bull Dogs!" Better yet.... SEC!

I am much relieved my alma marta did this. See not all nuts roll down hill. And for a change "Florida Man" makes the news not for doing crazy crap. Woo Hoo!

[spanone]

6. good.

[TrishaJ]

7. Indeed.

Go Gators (until November in Jax, of course!)

[lindysalsagal]

8. "First Amendment doesnt require risk of imminent violence to students. "

Hello! Fuchs is right. Those kids have work to do and don't deserve to have it interrupted with this B>S>

[aikoaiko]

9. I wonder if the ACLU can win in court. The president's use of imminent may be problematic.

Either way, it's a still a good thing to do and lose in court if necessary to challenge the idea of imminent violence.

[raven mad]

10. Thank you for lifting my heart about my birth state!

I love Gainesville - there, you could almost think Florida had a higher elevation than Mt. Dora! Being a huge Crimson Tide fan, I'll join you, while, granted, holding my nose, and say:

GO GATORS!

And, damn, I thought WE had a golf course problem with just the bears and moose and fox, as well as ball-thieving ravens, and marmots breeding on the green at the water hazard........