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Is Free Speech In A 'State Of Emergency'?

Appearance By Right Wing Commentator At UC Berkeley Prompts Fears Of Violence
Protesters chant during a demonstration outside of Zellerbach Hall on the U.C. Berkeley campus on September 14, 2017 in Berkeley, California. Police were out in force as protesters assembled outside of Zellerbach Hall at U.C. Berkeley where a conservative political commentator was scheduled to speak.

White nationalist Richard Spencer plans to speak at the University of Florida in Gainesville on Thursday. In response, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency. We live in a country where everyone has the right to voice their opinion, however, we have zero tolerance for violence and public safety is always our number one priority. I have been in constant contact with Sheriff Darnell who has requested this Executive Order to ensure that county and local law enforcement have every needed resource. This executive order is an additional step to ensure that the University of Florida and the entire community is prepared so everyone can stay safe.Some college students are furiously asserting their right to hear from any speaker they want. Others are equally furious about shouting down hateful voices.How do universities uphold the First Amendment and keep students safe?GUESTSSanford Ungar, Director of the Free Speech Project at Georgetown University; @SanfordUngarAngus Johnston, Professor of history, the City University of New York; historian of American student activism and student life; @studentactivismDanya Abdelhameid, Senior at the College of William and Mary; activist with Black Lives Matter W&MNaweed Tahmas, Senior at UC Berkeley; Vice President of the Berkeley College RepublicansMitch Emerson, Co-organizer behind “No Nazis in UF,” protesting Richard Spencer’s appearance in GainsvilleFor more, visit https://the1a.org.© 2017 WAMU 88.5 – American University Radio. Copyright 2017 WAMU 88.5. To see more, visit WAMU 88.5.

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