TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Richard Spencer is credited with coining the term "alternative right" or "alt right" 10 years ago.
The "alt right" movement represents a loose set of ideals centered on "white identity" and preservation of "western civilization." Most members are young white men who unite themselves based on the ideas they are against.
Spencer, President of the National Policy Institute, promotes topics of racial differences in intelligence and the crime rate among immigrants. At its annual conference after the presidential election, Spencer's hail trump cry was greeted with the Nazi salute.
The home page of the institute was quickly removed from its publishing space and he responded "you will not silence us".
Dr. Ed Moore, President of Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida states, "They try to format controversy and get out front and get a lot of attention for very radical ideas that most people don't share." When the University of Florida's president boycotted the event, Spencer advocates posted to social media platforms saying the negativity associated with the event promoted interest.
Dr. Moore notes, "He puts the school in an odd position. Universities are meant to be centers of discourse where the free exchange of ideas takes place". He and others fear debate and discussion have strayed into nothing more than violent clashes.
