The University of California DavisTurning Point USA cancelled Tuesday’s student-led event that featured Stephen “MAGA Hulk”, Davis. This was after fighting broke out between protesters & counter-protesters.
According to a university statement, Davis spoke Tuesday night after 100 people began fighting outside the conference centre. The pepper spray was used to knock down barricades, remove traffic cones, and bang on glass. UC Davis says some of the fighting participants were wearing “Proud Boys” clothing.
According to the university, approximately 30 people waited inside the venue for the event to begin.
These were the issues that ultimately led to Student organizers and university administratorsRecognizing that safety was a concern, the organizers agreed to cancel the event. Students and the speaker were evacuated.
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Stephen “MAGA Hulk” Davis was due to speak at UC Davis Tuesday, Oct. 25, together with Turning Point USA. However, safety concerns forced the cancellation of the event.
(@stephendavis1776/Instagram)
In the statement, UC Davis stated As a public institutionIt supports and values freedom of expression and guarantees that it is protected to all citizens.
“The well-being and health of our community is our top priority. In preparing for tonight’s speaker and activities, we worked with the students to create a secure environment, including a safety plan, where freedom of speech could be exercised, including for those wishing to protest the speaker. “UC Davis Student Affairs staff attended this event to provide education on student expression and to encourage respectful, productive dialogue,” said the statement.
The university stated that hateful expressions may be protected by The First AmendmentHowever, violence and calls for harm are not allowed.
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Howard Way Gateway sign, now completed by UC Davis, is located at the intersection with Russell Boulevard and Howard Way.
(UC Davis/Facebook)
UC Davis stated that it supports student rights to have speakers on campus, just like it supports student’s right to have them. Protest speakers are entitled to rightsThey don’t agree with the views of others.
The statement stated that “As public universities, we are committed the First Amendment and are required to uphold its protection.” “We affirm the right of our students — in this instance, Turning Point USA at UC Davis — to invite speakers to our campus, just as we affirm the right of others to protest speakers whose views they find upsetting or offensive.”
It also stated that the university aims to promote discussion and openness to diverse opinions.
Davis posted a picture to Twitter days before the event that seemed to show a negative reaction towards Turning Point USA’s presence at campus.
He stated that original event flyers were taken down on campus and replaced with posters claiming the organization is “notoriously racism, homophobic or transphobic”
The flyer encouraged “those who oppose racism or bigotry to make it known” that Turning Point USA was not welcome at UC Davis.
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It was unclear if the event would be rescheduled.
