Penn State protests lead to last-minute cancellation of Proud Boys founder's appearance

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, Joe.My.God.

Penn State Cancels Event With Proud Boys Founder After Extremists Incite Violence Outside Venue [VIDEO]
October 25, 2022

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Penn State protests lead to last-minute cancellation of Proud Boys founder's appearance

TRIBUNE-REVIEW | Monday, Oct. 24, 2022 7:37 p.m.

Penn State University officials canceled a Monday evening appearance by Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes as protests gained steam outside of the event.

“Due to the threat of escalating violence associated with tonight’s event, Penn State University Police determined that it was necessary to cancel the speaking event in the interest of campus safety,” Penn State wrote on its website and in an email to students. “Demonstrations regrettably turned violent. The University has been clear that the views and speech of the two speakers at tonight’s student-organization-hosted event are abhorrent and do not align with the values of Penn State.”

At 7 p.m., students received an email that read, “Avoid Thomas Building area. Crowd at Thomas bldg. is an unlawful disturbance. Leave the area or be subject to arrest.”

Student organization Uncensored America were scheduled to host McInnes and BlazeTV contributor Alex Stein’s “Stand Back & Stand By.” ... In a statement Tuesday, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said “administration firmly denounced the two speakers.”

“However, they were invited to speak on campus by a registered student organization and as an institution of higher education, we support the fundamental constitutional right of free speech and free expression of all members of our community,” she said. “It is precisely because of this unwavering commitment to free speech that provocative individuals target our campus to deliver speeches.”

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[FakeNoose]

1. Who's in charge of this University? WTF Penn State?

"Demonstrations regrettably turned violent. The University has been clear that the views and speech of the two speakers at tonight’s student-organization-hosted event are abhorrent and do not align with the values of Penn State."

The group "Uncensored America" needs to be kicked off the campus immediately.

[SheltieLover]

2. Good!

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Let me tell 'ya something

You gotta be WAY OUT THERE to spark a protest in Pennsylvania, let alone at State College

[Midnight Writer]

4. Maybe they can invite NAMBLA for a last minute replacement.

[Diamond_Dog]

5. GOOD!

[vlyons]

6. So why was McInnes invited in the first place?

??

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. He was invited by a student group, Uncensored America. NT

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. Can Penn State cancel event featuring Proud Boys founder? ACLU PA, experts weigh in

Can Penn State cancel event featuring Proud Boys founder? ACLU PA, experts weigh in

BY JOSH MOYER
OCTOBER 23, 2022

Penn State has fielded criticism from around the country for hosting an event involving the Proud Boys founder, with multitudes questioning the university’s assertion that it cannot cancel Monday’s presentation without violating the U.S. Constitution. ... But the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania — and more than a half-dozen other First Amendment experts — say Penn State is almost certainly correct.

Because the university is largely public, and because a recognized student organization invited the speakers as all such organizations are permitted to do, it cannot make exceptions to its own rules because it finds the speakers’ rhetoric “hateful and discriminatory.” Penn State said as much last week, but that hasn’t stopped a 3,000-signature petition, online comments that have referred to PSU as “a terrorist organization” and overwhelming anger from many students and community members.

No expert or organization the CDT contacted agreed with the views of the Proud Boys. But, just as an accused white supremacist spoke on the campus of Indiana University, and “radical conservative” Ben Shapiro held an event at the University of Michigan, both Penn State and outside experts say the land-grant university is constitutionally obligated to follow suit.

“Penn State is a public university, so it is subject to the First Amendment,” ACLU PA Legal Director Vic Walczak said in a written statement. “Once (a recognized student organization from) the university has invited a speaker, cancellation because of disagreement with the speaker’s vewpoint or message raises First Amendment concerns, and could invite litigation and trigger liability.”

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[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. Penn State students, protesters gather in opposition of Uncensored America even

Hat tip, a commenter at Joe.My.God.

'They did nothing' | Penn State students, protesters gather in opposition of Uncensored America event

Arthur LaBan, Jessie Nguyen & Amy Schafer | The Daily Collegian Oct 24, 2022



Protesters marched with signs down Pollock Road toward the Westgate Building in University Park, Pa on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022 in protest against Gavin McInnes, founder of the Proud Boys, speaking at an event on campus.
Sienna Pinney

Editor’s Note: Some of the names in this story have been changed to protect the identities of the individuals involved. The Daily Collegian has verified through fact checking these individuals exist.

On Monday, hundreds of Penn State students gathered outside the Thomas Building to protest an event featuring Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and comedian Alex Stein called “Stand Back and Stand By” — a “politically provocative comedy night.” ... The event hosted by Uncensored America was canceled due the “threat of escalating violence,” according to Penn State University Police.

“This is supposed to be a ‘We Are’ community — it's feeling like an ‘I am’ community,” Jason, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “As a Black student, I shouldn’t have to worry about going outside, and my rights are being questioned. That's not right.”



A Penn State student pours milk on his face after getting pepper sprayed during the 'Stand Up, Fight Back' protest outside the Thomas Building on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022 in University Park, Pa.
Jackson Ranger

The Student Committee for Defense and Solidarity hosted the protest at 6 p.m., and during the protest, there were reports of the use of pepper spray in the crowd. The group had previously started a petition demanding Penn State’s administration deny Uncensored America permission to sponsor and platform McInnes, as well as go to court if it has to in order to uninvite him. ... SCDS is not a registered Penn State organization, according to Penn State spokesperson Lisa Powers.

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Arthur LaBan
Arthur LaBan is a news reporter for the Daily Collegian. He is a junior double majoring in history and political science.
https://www.instagram.com/artmax11/
https://twitter.com/artlaban
[e-mail]

Jessie Nguyen
https://www.instagram.com/jessiien/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trang-nguyen-7aab481b5/
https://twitter.com/jessienguyeen
[e-mail]