Spencer: ‘Alt-right’ events no longer ‘fun’
Amid protests, white nationalist considering suspending speaking tour
White nationalist Richard Spencer said he’s considering suspending his controversial “alt-right” speaking tour amid escalating violence at his appearances.
Spencer said the left-wing coalition known as Antifa has made attending his speeches too dangerous and not “fun” by intimidating his supporters and shouting down his lectures.
Spencer supports the creation of a society run by white people in the USA and routinely attacks diversity as an assault on the white race. Antifa members argue racist voices should be aggressively countered and make no apologies for their actions.
“When they become violent clashes and pitched battles, they aren’t fun,” Spencer said. “I don’t inspire any kind of violence. ... Until the situation changes, we are up a creek without a paddle.”
Spencer’s announcement, made via Twitter and a lengthy YouTube video this weekend, came days after violent clashes between his supporters and 500 counterprotesters at Michigan State University.
Spencer won a legal victory to speak at MSU, but only about 20 people attended his speech. Outside, both sides clashed, and police arrested about 20 people as counterprotesters screamed, “Punch a Nazi in the face!” and “Nazis go home.”
Critics accuse white nationalists of being white supremacists in disguise. Antifa, which stands for “anti fascist,” is a loosely organized coalition that argues the alt-right and white nationalists are no more than Nazis who must be met with overwhelming opposition.
“We believe in being proactive when it comes to fascist violence.” Torch Antifa
Supporters on both sides have showed up at rallies ready to do battle, armed with sticks, guns and riot gear, including shields.
In a statement posted to its website, the Torch Antifa network said directly confronting bigotry is its key mission: “Anti-racists and antifascists have an obligation to deny a platform to bigots so that they can’t spread their message and recruit. We believe in being proactive when it comes to fascist violence, which means confronting fascist organizing before they have a chance to put their ideas into action, and taking fascist threats seriously.”
In his video announcement, Spencer complained that Michigan police didn’t do enough to ensure his audience could safely reach the venue, a trend he said has escalated. Spencer leapt into the public eye during the 2016 presidential campaign in part by his willingness to publicly discuss and debate “white pride.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center said it’s “preposterous” that Spencer was surprised by the vehement opposition he faces.
“He wanted that reaction,” spokesman Ryan Lenz said. “He said he wanted to go into the belly of the beast. And when the violence presented itself ... Spencer chose to pick up on that and recraft the message.”