Protests hit university over Bannon invitation

On Thursday, the morning after the student newspaper at the University of Chicago reported that Steve Bannon had been extended — and accepted — an invitation to speak on campus, protesters rallied.

Outside the Booth School of Business, protesters chanted “Disinvite! Disinvite!” and “Say it loud and say it clear, stop inviting fascists here,” according to the Chicago Maroon. Local news outlets estimated the number of protesters ranged from 100 to 300 people.

The Booth School is academic home to Luigi Zingales, the business professor who invited Bannon to participate in a debate on immigration and globalisation on a date that hasn’t been announced. Bannon was the chief strategist for President Donald Trump until his dismissal in August.

He also abruptly exited his post as executive chairman of the far-right Breitbart News Network in January after backlash over his comments critical of Trump and his family appeared in the Michael Wolff book, ‘Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.’

Faculty members’ letter

Bannon has not commented publicly on the university blow-up, but the University of Chicago released a statement on Thursday reaffirming its commitment to academic freedom. The statement said “any recognised student group, faculty group, University department or individual faculty member” can invite speakers to campus.

“Professor Luigi Zingales of the Booth School of Business is planning an event with the tentative format of a debate on subjects including the economic benefits of globalisation and immigration, and has invited Steve Bannon, former chief strategist and senior adviser in the Trump administration, to debate an expert in the field, with Zingales serving as moderator,” the statement said.

As of early Friday, more than three dozen faculty member had signed an open letter to the university’s president and provost that said Bannon “should not be afforded the platform and opportunity to air his hate speech on this campus”.