Support NeoGAF

[Viewt]

From University President Kent Fuchs.

Dear Campus Community:

Amid serious concerns for safety, we have decided to deny the National Policy Institute’s request to rent event space at the University of Florida.

This decision was made after assessing potential risks with campus, community, state and federal law enforcement officials following violent clashes in Charlottesville, Va., and continued calls online and in social media for similar violence in Gainesville such as those decreeing: “The Next Battlefield is in Florida.”

I find the racist rhetoric of Richard Spencer and white nationalism repugnant and counter to everything the university and this nation stands for.

That said, the University of Florida remains unwaveringly dedicated to free speech and the spirit of public discourse. However, the First Amendment does not require a public institution to risk imminent violence to students and others.

The likelihood of violence and potential injury – not the words or ideas – has caused us to take this action.

I wish he'd made a stronger condemnation of the group itself, but it's great that they won't be allowed to spew their garbage on UF's campus. I hope other universities take the same approach and choke these fuckers out.

Spoiler

And then hopefully some fine citizen will do that literally.

 

[Toxi]

Lawsuit in 5... 4...

 

[Tecnniqe]

The sooner people realize free speech and hate speech is not the same thing the better.

 

[DNAbro]

I'm proud to be a UF student. Keep nazi fucks away from campus.

This happened earlier in the year which was great
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs...ty-of-florida-campus-gets-punched-in-the-face

 

[Kai Dracon]

As usual, if an ISIS group was going around the US speaking at universities, I've like to see how everyone, from faculties, to the right wing, to supremely principled centrists, would react.

 

[Violence Jack]

When you're referring to a place as a battleground, that pretty much sums up what your intentions are.

 

[BitStyle]

Good

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Go Gators

 

[Snkfanatic]

I will never get tired of that gif.

 

[Skinny Pete]

Good work. Fuck these vile pieces of shit.

 

[bachikarn]

Good

 

[Ithil]

That's an easy out for the "muh free speech" claim, after the violence in Charlottesville they can deny any of these alt-right events by citing safety concerns.

 

[Lightning_Roller]

The sooner people realize free speech and hate speech is not the same thing the better.

Agreed.

 

[Kensation]

Get fucked Nazi scum.

 

[CaviarMeths]

These administrators need to stop being so damn scared to have a bunch of angry nutters throw freeze peaches at them. They just need to straight up say "Your hate speech is unwelcome here. Fuck off."

 

[LiK]

They should write a giant L next to their swastikas.

 

[MogCakes]

ISIS and Nazis do share that Fascism endgame. They're much the same.

 

[Kebiinu]

Just here to watch the dumbass posters try and spin this into, "But muh free speeeeech. Think of the Constitution!!"

Finally some bit of good news. However small.

 

[I3rand0]

These administrators need to stop being so damn scared to have a bunch of angry nutters throw freeze peaches at them. They just need to straight up say "Your hate speech is unwelcome here. Fuck off."

Seriously. Why it took so long to make this decision/statement after the events of this weekend is mind boggling.

 

[Oersted]

When you're referring to a place as a battleground, that pretty much sums up what your intentions are.

And silly me thought being a Nazi was the giveaway.

 

[The Kree]

To be sure, it's not the presence of white supremacists that worries them, it's the inevitable arrival of their opposition.

 

[Lunar15]

If this is their way of keeping these monsters from getting a platform, I'll take it.

 

[BronsonLee]

These administrators need to stop being so damn scared to have a bunch of angry nutters throw freeze peaches at them. They just need to straight up say "Your hate speech is unwelcome here. Fuck off."

Seriously. Why it took so long to make this decision/statement after the events of this weekend is mind boggling.

It's a lawsuit if they do that and say that's why

Like when you deck someone from Westboro Baptist

 

[JJH]

 

[Outdoor Miner]

I'm glad UF changed their minds.

Nazi punks fuck off

 

[Kusagari]

I like how Fuchs uses Spencer's own words as reason for the move.

 

[Hyun Sai]

Very smart way to ban Nazi's hate speech without risking a lawsuit.

 

[cameron]

He's free to host his Nazi freeze peach event at his apartment.

As usual, if an ISIS group was going around the US speaking at universities, I've like to see how everyone, from faculties, to the right wing, to supremely principled centrists, would react.

Even someone like UK hate preacher Anjem Choudary. I doubt anyone in the US would entertain his bullshit.

 

[MrNelson]

Seriously. Why it took so long to make this decision/statement after the events of this weekend is mind boggling.

Because as a public university they are required by law to allow them to be there in whatever area they have designated for public assembly.

I'm sure they just had to make sure they had their ducks in a row so they could deny them on the grounds of safety concerns.

 

[old manatee]

A lot of racist statues coming down and a lot of Nazis being told to fuck off this week. It feels like maybe a critical mass of people have finally had enough of this shit.

 

[d9b]

 

[Lkr]

Well there goes some low hanging fruit to make fun of UF with.

I was gonna drive over there for the counter protest if this shit was going down

 

[Lightning_Roller]

If this is their way of keeping these monsters from getting a platform, I'll take it.

Exactly.

"Send the word to every university. We know how to stop them now."

 

[Lunar15]

I like how Fuchs uses Spencer's own words as reason for the move.

Yep, by framing it as a combative group looking for a fight, he throws the ball entirely in their court.

And like others said, this is now a tactic literally any government institution can use.

 

[backflip10019]

You know you're fucked when even Florida rejects you.

 

[nynt9]

Inb4 the ACLU sues them since they seem to be the new defender of Nazis.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

I like how Fuchs uses Spencer's own words as reason for the move.

I guess you could say.........Spencer got fuched 😎

 

[Lightning_Roller]

I guess you could say.........Spencer got fuched 😎

Ayyyyyyyyy.

 

[Brawly Likes to Brawl]

Good, you'd have to be insane to let their ilk come to your institution after last week.

 

[Beartruck]

I guess UoF doesn't Fuch around.

Edit: beaten like spencer in that gif.

 

[Brakke]

I'm trying to make a "Fuchs: out of here!" joke work but I can't stick the landing.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

White Nationalists are terrorist and should be as welcome in public spaces as ISIS. The end.

 

[CrocMother]

Inb4 the ACLU sues them since they seem to be the new defender of Nazis.

ACLU does more good in this country than just about any other org, and I proudly donate every month.

 

[Malleymal]

All universities need to take this stand...


I wonder what would happen if there were isis supporters or taliban supporters roaming the streets peacefully with weapons. How would that go down? There needs to be an social experiment but I actually think many would die so there's that

 

[lightus]

Because as a public university they are required by law to allow them to be there in whatever area they have designated for public assembly.

I'm sure they just had to make sure they had their ducks in a row so they could deny them on the grounds of safety concerns.

Yeah I'm kind of confused people are acting as if the university is a private institution. I'm pretty sure saying "you guys are Nazi's fuck off" isn't enough to deny them a public space legally. That'd be cool if it was, but from my understanding of the current laws, it's not.

If anyone has more knowledge on this please correct me. I felt it took them as long as it did because they were making sure they could legally deny them space.

I'm relieved the "battle ground" has been denied. I live in Gainesville and hearing word of all these Nazi's booking flights to head here was disconcerting. I know a lot of people who would have joined in the protest and I'd rather not have a Charlottesville repeat here. Having all these other people come wreck my city then fly back home in comfort doesn't sit well either.

 

[Tecnniqe]

Inb4 the ACLU sues them since they seem to be the new defender of Nazis.

Except they are not.

 

[DrArchon]

Yeah, describing your next speaking location as "The Next Battlefield" sounds to me like shouting fire in crowded space. If you're even hinting at large scale violence as a result of your gathering, I see no reason that the University should've been forced to let you speak.

I wish they'd have come out and said "No you can't come here because you're Nazis and we hate everything you stand for" but I'll take what I can get I guess.

 

[RinsFury]

Good. Shut them down everywhere.

 

[JettDash]

Eat shit, nazi.

 

[Carpe Carnim]

Yeah I'm kind of confused people are acting as if the university is a private institution. I'm pretty sure saying "you guys are Nazi's fuck off" isn't enough to deny them a public space legally. That'd be cool if it was, but from my understanding of the current laws, it's not.

If anyone has more knowledge on this please correct me. I felt it took them as long as it did because they were making sure they could legally deny them space.

I'm relieved the "battle ground" has been denied. I live in Gainesville and hearing word of all these Nazi's booking flights to head here was disconcerting. I know a lot of people who would have joined in the protest and I'd rather not have a Charlottesville repeat here. Having all these other people come wreck my city then fly back home in comfort doesn't sit well either.

If it's any consolation, me and some friends intended to be in Gville for the protest. If they cancel this thing for good, we'll have a perfect reason to head to Ichetucknee for some tubing, instead