White Nationalist Richard Spencer Calls Off Speech at U. of Cincinnati
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Prominent white supremacist Richard Spencer has called off his speech planned for next month at the University of Cincinnati after a legal standoff over the school’s demand for a nearly $11,000 security fee.
Kyle Bristow, an attorney for Spencer, tweeted on Monday that the speaking engagement was off while the lawsuit goes through court.
Cameron Padgett, a Georgia State University student who books Spencer’s speaking engagements at universities across the country, filed suit last month alleging that the security fee Spencer is being charged is cost-restrictive and therefore constitutes a First Amendment censorship violation by a public university.
Padgett has sued other universities who refused to book Spencer. Cincinnati avoided this fate by allowing him to speak — but in the middle of spring break.
Security fees are not uncommon for guest speakers on campus, and universities are likely especially concerned about security at Spencer’s events: the University of Florida spent about $600,000 on security when Spencer visited in October. Three people were arrested there and charged with attempted homicide after allegedly shooting at counter-protesters.
Spencer has called for “peaceful ethnic cleansing” and was one of the leaders of the Charlottesville, Virginia white supremacist rally, where marchers with torches chanted “Jews will not replace us.”
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