Protests drown out supremacist
PROTESTERS at the University of Florida have drowned out white supremacist Richard Spencer’s first major speech since the violent 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”.
The university had attempted to bar him from speaking on campus, but relented when he threatened to sue for infringement of free speech.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside carrying
signs reading “No Nazis UF” (University of Florida) and “Resist Fascism”.
Florida Governor Rick Scott had declared a state of emergency, putting the Florida National Guard on standby and allowing the county sheriff to call on specialised security forces from across the state.
“We live in a country where everyone has the right to voice their opinion, however, we have zero tolerance for violence and public safety is always our number one priority,” he said in a statement.
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.
One of the most tense moments came when he discussed the rally in Charlottesville where one counter-protester was killed when run down by a car driven by a white nationalist.
Mr Spencer insisted the facts of the young woman’s death were not yet clear, but the crowd had already erupted in chants.
“It’s your fault!” they called.