Penn State Cancels Uncensored America Event, Calls Gathering An ‘Unlawful Disturbance’
Update, 8:48 p.m.: Police officers and horses vacated the scene. They were seen leaving down Pollock Road, heading west.
Update, 8:35 p.m.: Police on the scene said that scheduled speakers Gavin McInnes and Alex Stein are “gone.” A large police presence, including horses, remains outside the Thomas Building.
Original Story: Penn State released a statement Monday evening announcing the cancelation of the Uncensored America event originally scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Thomas Building.
Uncensored America, a registered student organization, was set to bring the founder of the Proud Boys to campus. The organization was named a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. On October 11, Penn State released a statement claiming it did not have the authority to cancel the event, citing the organization’s “undeniable constitutional right to sponsor this presentation on our campus.”
“Due to the threat of escalating violence associated with tonight’s event, Penn State University Police determined that it was necessary to cancel the speaking event in the interest of campus safety,” the university wrote Monday night. “Demonstrations regrettably turned violent when protestors and police officers were pepper sprayed.”
A strong police presence was reported as early as 5 p.m., and protesters were reported at 5:30 p.m. outside of the Thomas Building. Demonstrators and police officers were pepper sprayed. Police horses and officers donning riot gear were on site.
Penn State Police stated that law enforcement did not discharge pepper spray.
“The University has been clear that the views and speech of the two speakers at tonight’s student-organization-hosted event are abhorrent and do not align with the values of Penn State,” the release continued. “We have encouraged peaceful protest, and, while protest is an acceptable means of expression, it becomes unacceptable when it obstructs the basic exchange of ideas.”
An official university alert was issued at 7:07 p.m. and deemed the crowd an unlawful disturbance. People were told to leave the area or be subject to arrest.
“The climate in our nation has been polarized for quite some time,” the release said. “On campuses across the country, violence is proliferating and individuals are being intimidated and even harmed. This must stop.”
Less than 15 minutes after the event was officially canceled, demonstrators broke out in a “We Are Not Afraid Of Proud Boys” chant.
The anti-fascist symbol “three arrows” was seen spray-painted on university signs. Nobody was spotted committing the vandalism.
We will update this post as more information becomes available.
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