Advertisement
Florida

Speech by white nationalist Richard Spencer drowned out by protesters

Hundreds of people protested with signs and anti-Nazi chants.

spencer White nationalist Richard Spencer holding a news conference before giving a speech at the University of Florida yesterday TNS / SIPA USA/PA Images TNS / SIPA USA/PA Images / SIPA USA/PA Images

COUNTER DEMONSTRATORS GREATLY outnumbered white nationalist Richard Spencer’s supporters at the University of Florida yesterday, their chants drowning Spencer out during his speech.

Outside, hundreds more people protested with signs and anti-Nazi chants – alongside hundreds of police officers there to prevent violence.

Anti-Spencer protesters shouted: “Not in our town! Not in our state! We don’t want your Nazi hate!” during his speech, frustrating the head of the National Policy Institute.

Three or four skirmishes occurred during the afternoon after Spencer supporters confronted the counter demonstrators. One man, wearing a white shirt with swastikas drawn on it, was punched and chased out of the area.

nazi Blood runs from the lip of a man wearing a shirt with swastikas on it after he was punched by a protester Will Vragovic / AP/Press Association Images Will Vragovic / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

At least three others were quickly surrounded by crowds that shouted them down, chanting “Whose streets? Our streets!” and pushed them until they left the area or were chased behind police lines.

Two arrests 

The Alachua County Sheriff said two people were arrested. Sean Brijmohan, 28, was charged with possession of a firearm on school property. The office said in a tweet that he had brought a gun onto the campus after being hired by a media organisation as security.

David Notte, 34, was charged with resisting an officer without violence.

Five people had minor injuries and were immediately treated by fire rescue teams, authorities said.

protest Protesters outside the university USA TODAY Network / SIPA USA/PA Images USA TODAY Network / SIPA USA/PA Images / SIPA USA/PA Images

The school estimated it would spend $600,000 (about €508,000) on security to ensure no repeat of violent clashes connected to a white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one woman, 32-year-old Heather Heyer, dead in August.

School officials cited the Charlottesville violence in rejecting an initial request from Spencer to speak at the university. They later relented on free speech grounds.

Florida’s governor had declared a state of emergency for the event.

Read: Obama and Bush both take aim at ‘bigotry’ of Trump era

Read: ‘Despicable’: Pensioner with Alzheimer’s targeted by fake builders in robbery

Author
Associated Foreign Press
Your Voice
Readers Comments
250
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel