This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/richard-spencer-speech-florida-protests-drowned-out-charlottesville-white-supremacist-a8010036.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Richard Spencer's first major speech since Charlottesville drowned out by chanting protesters | Richard Spencer's first major speech since Charlottesville drowned out by chanting protesters |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Protesters at the University of Florida have drowned out white supremacist Richard Spencer's first major speech since the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. | Protesters at the University of Florida have drowned out white supremacist Richard Spencer's first major speech since the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. |
| As Mr Spencer took the stage, most of the half-filled Phillips Centre theatre stood and chanted: "F*** you Spencer!" Many raised their fists in a Black Power salute. | |
| Mr Spencer started by welcoming the crowd to "the most important free speech event of [their] lifetime". He also thanked university President Kent Fuchs for allowing him to speak on campus. | |
| "For the record, I don't stand behind racist Richard Spencer," Mr Fuchs quickly responded on Twitter. "I stand with those who reject and condemn Spencer’s vile and despicable message." | |
| The university had attempted to bar Mr Spencer from speaking on campus, but relented when he threatened to sure for an infringement of free speech. | |
| It was unclear what Mr Spencer intended to discuss in his speech, as he spent the majority of his address shouting down the protesters in the crowd. | |
| “Do you not want to hear something, poor little babies, that might contradict something your professor told you?" he asked. "Might you have to think about something, child?” | |
| The crowd alternated between different chants, from "Go home Spencer!" to "Let's go Gators!" – a reference to the school's mascot. The first two rows of audience members, and a scattered few throughout the crowd, cheered Mr Spencer on. | |
| Eventually, Mr Spencer decided to turn to a question and answer session. | |
| The first questioner took the microphone and asked: "Why do you think you’re welcome here, when it literally took a court order to get you here?" | |
| "We have a tremendous amount of support–" Mr Spencer said before being drowned out by boos. | |
| More follows... | More follows... |