GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The University of Florida’s president is urging students to stay away from a speaking event on campus featuring white nationalist Richard Spencer.
President Kent Fuchs wrote in an email Tuesday that Spencer and his group seek only “to provoke a reaction” at their Oct. 19 event. Fuchs says “shunning” Spencer would limit any further attention.
Fuchs also asked students to speak out against Spencer’s message of “hate and racism.”
UF says it expects to spend $500,000 on security for the event, including costs of police.
The university stated it will not be affiliated with the event in any way, but as a public institution, it is legally obligated to allow the expression of many viewpoints by external groups, such as Spencer’s National Policy Institute.
MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.
Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
