GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The upcoming white nationalist speaking event scheduled for Oct. 19 is raising safety concerns. Protests and counter protests are anticipated to take place during the event.
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The University of Florida plans to be open for classes and regular operations on Oct. 19. However, faculty members have been informed to be understanding for students who are targets of hate because of race, religion, culture and other beliefs.
People have taken to social media to plan protests and opposition against Richard Spencer.
Sign making against fascism at UF -#NoNazisAtUF #solidarity
— Djinntoberfest (@getsthegoods) October 6, 2017
Join in and fight! 10/14 https://t.co/LLZFm1oof7 pic.twitter.com/J0RDOAAOd9
Richard Spencer's event at @UF will cost > $500K for security. His group is paying < $11K. https://t.co/M546NGyLOc
— Sarah Rumpf (@rumpfshaker) October 6, 2017
It's a sad day when the president of a university says it is the 1st Amendment that forces the university to have... https://t.co/n7ekqVD3Ok
— Cptl. Conservatives (@Capconservative) October 6, 2017
One Facebook event has more than 2,500 people attending the Richard Spencer protest.
The University of Florida originally denied Richard Spencer’s request on Sep. 12 due to the potential violence and risk on campus and the community, since the following white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
However, UF has to allow Spencer’s right to free speech because it violates the First Amendment. UF and other agencies will pay more than $500,000 for additional security measures.
The event is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Philips Center of Performing Arts.