By: Sage Hansard, Talon Staff |Opinion
Colleges and universities are institutions and forums where differing views and thoughts come together and sometimes challenge our own. Thi is something I embrace as a college student.
But when do these views cross a line?
While I believe in protecting First Amendment rights, when is something classified as hate speech or inciting a riot, two things not protected by our constitution?
On Thursday, Oct. 19, Richard Spencer, a known white supremacist, gave a talk at the University of Florida and was enshrouded with resistance from much of the audience. I applaud the students of the University of Florida and the community of Gainesville for drowning out a man who preaches white supremacy and hate.
If your memory doesn’t serve you well, Spencer led a torchlight march on the University of Virginia campus that turned violent in August. Due to concerns that something similar would happen in Gainesville, Governor Rick Scott issued a State of Emergency. The additional security that cost Florida taxpayers $500,000.
After the conclusion of Spencer’s talk, three supporters of his fired shots at people at a bus stop after chanting and cheering Adolf Hitler.
How many instances of violence and hate do we need before we decide that allowing Spencer to speak, especially on college campuses, is unconstitutional?
The costs to our pockets, our communities and democracy are too high.
Opinions by Sage Hansard
