The University of Florida is the latest institution to tell white supremacists to take that shit elsewhere, denying a request by a group led by white nationalist Richard Spencer to rent space on campus for an event in September.
According to the Associated Press, university President Kent Fuchs sent out a statement underlining that the school’s decision was made after administration looked into the risks to the campus, community and law enforcement following last weekend’s violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va.
Members of the National Policy Institute, which is headed by white nationalist poster boy Spencer, had contacted the university to rent space on its Gainesville campus Sept. 12.
The university quickly shut that down after this past weekend, which, I think we can all agree, is a smart move.
“I find the racist rhetoric of Richard Spencer and white nationalism repugnant and counter to everything the university and this nation stands for,” Fuchs’ statement read.
Of course, the president had to give the obligatory memo that the school was dedicated to free speech and public discourse, however, Fuchs stood firm, stating that the First Amendment does not require risking students’ safety through imminent violence.
The university’s decision comes days after Texas A&M University canceled a “White Lives Matter” rally that was meant to be held on its campus and would have featured Spencer himself.
Read more at the Star.com.