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Richard Spencer speech at Florida campus sparks mass protest Richard Spencer speech at Florida campus sparks mass protest
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of protesters have marched on the University of Florida to decry a speech by a white nationalist.Hundreds of protesters have marched on the University of Florida to decry a speech by a white nationalist.
Richard Spencer's event in Gainesville has prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency, and hundreds of police have also flooded the campus.Richard Spencer's event in Gainesville has prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency, and hundreds of police have also flooded the campus.
Mr Spencer struggled to speak over a crowd of protesters, who jeered and chanted "go home, Spencer!"
His speech comes two months after a far-right rally in Virginia, left an anti-racism protester dead.
"I'm not going home, I will stand here all day if I have to," Mr Spencer said, calling the crowd a mob and "shrieking and grunting morons".
Audience members continued to heckle him, chanting "Nazis are not welcome here" and "Let's go, Gators!", a nod to the college's mascot.
The college said it did not want to let "vile" Mr Spencer speak, but was obligated under law to do so.The college said it did not want to let "vile" Mr Spencer speak, but was obligated under law to do so.
It comes two months after a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, left an anti-racism protester dead.
Before Thursday's speech at the campus performing arts center, Mr Spencer addressed media to thank university president Kent Fuchs for allowing him to speak.Before Thursday's speech at the campus performing arts center, Mr Spencer addressed media to thank university president Kent Fuchs for allowing him to speak.
"This is the free speech issue of our day," said Mr Spencer, according to the Miami Herald."This is the free speech issue of our day," said Mr Spencer, according to the Miami Herald.
"And I'm very happy that President Fuchs has stood behind us and allowed this to go through.""And I'm very happy that President Fuchs has stood behind us and allowed this to go through."
The newspaper also reported that two Democratic state legislators filed bills on Thursday to remove all remaining Confederate monuments from the state's public spaces.The newspaper also reported that two Democratic state legislators filed bills on Thursday to remove all remaining Confederate monuments from the state's public spaces.
Mr Fuchs tweeted: "I don't stand behind racist Richard Spencer".Mr Fuchs tweeted: "I don't stand behind racist Richard Spencer".
About 3,000 people have signed up on a Facebook page to attend a protest rally called "No Nazis at UF".About 3,000 people have signed up on a Facebook page to attend a protest rally called "No Nazis at UF".
Demonstrators gathered outside the performing arts centre where Mr Spencer is speaking.Demonstrators gathered outside the performing arts centre where Mr Spencer is speaking.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish anti-bigotry group, flash mobs are being encouraged by the Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi website, at minority and Jewish institutions during the speech.According to the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish anti-bigotry group, flash mobs are being encouraged by the Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi website, at minority and Jewish institutions during the speech.
The college said it would have to spend more than $500,000 (£380,000) on security.The college said it would have to spend more than $500,000 (£380,000) on security.
Mr Spencer's organisation, the National Policy Institute, is paying $10,000 to rent the facility.Mr Spencer's organisation, the National Policy Institute, is paying $10,000 to rent the facility.
Protesters have unfurled a sign on campus proclaiming "Love, not hate" and have drawn chalk designs on the pavement promoting inclusiveness and diversity.Protesters have unfurled a sign on campus proclaiming "Love, not hate" and have drawn chalk designs on the pavement promoting inclusiveness and diversity.
Meanwhile, former President George W Bush decried intolerance while addressing an event in New York.Meanwhile, former President George W Bush decried intolerance while addressing an event in New York.
"Bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed," he said."Bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed," he said.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors US hate groups, said Mr Spencer is "a radical white separatist whose goal is the establishment of a white ethno-state in North America".The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors US hate groups, said Mr Spencer is "a radical white separatist whose goal is the establishment of a white ethno-state in North America".
Mr Spencer has described this week's emergency declaration by the state governor as "flattering" but "most likely overkill".Mr Spencer has described this week's emergency declaration by the state governor as "flattering" but "most likely overkill".
The University of Florida Police Department, Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol have been deployed.The University of Florida Police Department, Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol have been deployed.
Some classes close to the speech venue were cancelled.Some classes close to the speech venue were cancelled.
Items such as umbrellas, water bottles, and backpacks were not permitted inside or near the event.Items such as umbrellas, water bottles, and backpacks were not permitted inside or near the event.
The university president urged students to snub the speech.The university president urged students to snub the speech.
"By shunning him and his followers we will block his attempt for further visibility," Mr Fuchs said in a statement."By shunning him and his followers we will block his attempt for further visibility," Mr Fuchs said in a statement.
The university's Black Student Union warned that demonstrators should be cautious.The university's Black Student Union warned that demonstrators should be cautious.
"If you choose to protest, it is imperative that you utilise sound judgment with every action that you take and not be provoked to resort to violence," the club said in a statement."If you choose to protest, it is imperative that you utilise sound judgment with every action that you take and not be provoked to resort to violence," the club said in a statement.
University spokeswoman Janine Sikes said the school cannot control who will be permitted to attend the white nationalist event.University spokeswoman Janine Sikes said the school cannot control who will be permitted to attend the white nationalist event.
Mr Spencer, a figurehead of the racist alt-right movement, rose to prominence when he led chants of "Heil Trump" to a Nazi-saluting group in Washington after the president's election victory.Mr Spencer, a figurehead of the racist alt-right movement, rose to prominence when he led chants of "Heil Trump" to a Nazi-saluting group in Washington after the president's election victory.
He also helped to organise August's rally in Charlottesville, where he was the ringmaster of a large group of far-right activists chanting "Jews will not replace us" and "blood and soil" (a Nazi slogan).He also helped to organise August's rally in Charlottesville, where he was the ringmaster of a large group of far-right activists chanting "Jews will not replace us" and "blood and soil" (a Nazi slogan).
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