On October 19, Richard Spencer, an avowed white supremacist, is scheduled to speak on the University of Florida campus. UFF-UF has spoken out against Spencer’s appearance since it was first proposed in August, just days after a deadly rally of white nationalist groups in Charlottesville, VA, at which Spencer was present. We continue to hold that Spencer’s appearance here presents a danger to faculty, staff, and students. And, because the university is required to ensure safe working conditions, free from discrimination or harassment, it may represent a violation of our Collective Bargaining Agreement.
UPDATE 10/16/17: In response to the Spencer event, Governor Scott has declared a state of emergency for Alachua County on October 19.
If you are interested in taking a more active stance in response to the Spencer visit, here are some suggestions.
- Sign our petition to UF President Kent Fuchs and the Board of Trustees, asking that they cancel the event
- Letters to President Fuchs may be sent to fuchs@ufl.edu
- Donate to a legal defense fund for protesters
- Thursday Oct 19: Protest Richard Spencer –No Nazis At UF meet at 12 pm, corner of SW 34th St. and SW 20th Ave.
Context and resources
- “‘Richard Spencer, Alt-Right Leader, says his rallies no longer ‘fun'” USA Today, March 12, 2018
- Dror Abend-David: “Propagating Nazi Ideology is not Free Speech” Gainesville Sun, October 13, 2017
- “‘We are paying attention’: After Richard Spencer returned to Charlottesville, the University of Florida braces” Washington Post, October 9, 2017
- Steve Kirn, Paul Ortiz, and Susan Hegeman: “UF Employee Safety Imperiled By Spencer Visit” Gainesville Sun, October 6, 2017
- “UFF-UF and GAU-UF urge cancellation of white supremacist speaker at UF” UFF-UF, August 16, 2017
- “Q&A For Richard Spencer 10/19 Event” University of Florida
- “The Alt-Right on Campus: What Students Need to Know” Southern Poverty Law Center
- “Richard Bertrand Spencer” Southern Poverty Law Center’s Extremist Files
updated 3/13/2018