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The freedom of speech is the foundation of any free society. Without it, a tyrant can work his will unhindered, which is one reason why the Biden-Harris regime’s distaste for this Constitutionally protected right is so disquieting. The problem, however, didn’t start with Old Joe and Kamala. America’s universities for decades have been radioactive wastelands of far-left indoctrination, at which opposing views are demonized, stigmatized, and silenced altogether. But one courageous and indispensable group is fighting back.
Young America’s Foundation filed suit on Thursday against UCLA for blocking a lecture I was scheduled to give there on May 15, 2024, entitled “Everything You Know About Palestine Is Wrong.” I made it to campus, under police guard so heavy that it would have been appropriate for a president of the United States or visiting head of state, which only underscored the fact that UCLA officials knew very well that the pro-Hamas protesters they were indulging would turn violent without any hesitation.
Nevertheless, indulge them they did. I was allowed to go to the hall where the event was supposed to have taken place, where I met briefly with the patriotic students of the UCLA YAF chapter, who had invited me to come to the campus in the first place. No one else, however, was allowed in. I had been looking forward to what had been certain to be a hostile but, I hoped, illuminating give-and-take with some of the campus pro-Hamas cohort. Instead, I watched from the window as they marched by, holding their propaganda signs and shouting their moronic slogans, until the UCLA students told me to keep away from the window, lest these indoctrinated thugs turn to the violence that the campus police feared so very much.
UCLA top dogs cited those very “security concerns” in shutting down the event. Given the clear bloodlust of the pro-Hamas crowd, that may seem reasonable at first. However, YAF’s Spencer Brown, who before moving over to YAF was Townhall’s managing editor, explained the ominous implications of this: “These UCLA administrators violated the YAF students’ rights and failed to prevent a heckler’s veto by caving to pro-Hamas agitators. As a public school run with taxpayer dollars, UCLA must remain viewpoint-neutral and is prohibited from picking winners and losers when it comes to free expression.”
Indeed. Colleges and universities all over the country have not been viewpoint-neutral for a very long time, but that doesn’t mean that patriots simply have to accept the status quo. These institutions play a pivotal role in training the next generation, which is why Marxist entities, as well as well-heeled pro-Sharia states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have targeted them for so very long. The pro-Hamas cadres taking to encampments to demonstrate their support for jihad terror didn’t spring up out of nowhere. The groundwork for this has been prepared for a very long time.
That explains why UCLA officials have scant interest in protecting the freedom of speech; they’re on the side of the pro-Hamas thugs. In the face of criticism over the cancellation of my event, UCLA administrators resorted to lying outright. A UCLA official claimed in May 2024 that “there is misinformation circulating that the Young America’s Foundation event at UCLA on Wednesday evening was canceled by the university. This is incorrect. The event took place in the designated location after it shifted to a closed, recorded event as proposed by the organizer and agreed to by UCLA.”
This was entirely false and deceptive. I know that because I was right there on the scene. The event was canceled. Word went out on campus and on social media about the cancellation. Then YAF asked me to go to the campus, as they were going to have me meet the YAF chapter there and record a few videos. This is not even close to anything that could be honestly characterized as “the event took place.” But this is the sleight-of-hand that left-fascist university administrators use all over the country to prevent dissident voices from being heard.
Mountain States Legal Foundation Senior Counsel James Kerwin noted that “UCLA allowed its campus to be taken over by a radical anti-Israel mob, claiming that it could not do anything because the mob had a right to free speech (never mind the violence and property destruction).” The contrast is stark and indefensible: “But when YAF wanted to put on a true free speech event — a peaceful lecture presenting another perspective on the Middle East conflict, UCLA changed its tune and shut the talk down.”
Kerwin drew the obvious conclusion: “UCLA pretends it cares about freedom of expression, but when push comes to shove, it only allows one side to have its say. That is a violation of the First Amendment. This lawsuit will force UCLA to do what it should have done long ago: treat all viewpoints fairly and stop the campus shout-down mobs.” Exactly so. This could be a landmark case for the freedom of speech on campuses everywhere. For the future of our nation, every patriot should hope that YAF will prevail.
Here’s hoping that the YAF wins the case and it has resounding impact.
Here at UNM/Albuquerque, Turning Point USA invited Riley Gaines to speak with me in attendance. Some background first:
I’ve been observing protests in 1986 by the NM Peace Council headed by the leader of the NM Marxist Educators for Socialist Action. U.S. Peace Council/CPUSA. World Peace Council/SOVIET KGB! All screaming mobs in support of our biggest enemy….. “Useful Idiots!”
Today, SAME MOVIE, same Producers, Directors, same script, JUST DIFFERENT ACTORS!
During a speech by Milo Yiannapolus, four police agencies guarded the event. ANTIFA ABQ for the first time headed by Joel Marcos Gallegos, FB “Marxist-Leninist”, of ANSWER, The Party for Socialism and Liberation, and The Revolutionary Communist Party. There was lots of noise, banging, destruction of outside tables and chairs, he gave his speech, escorted out, WE WERE HELD INSIDE for over an hour. We were escorted out AND NOW A SWAT TEAM, HORSES, ALL THE GEAR to take us to the parking lot. NO CHARGES OR ARRESTS FOR THE DAMAGES! (I warned the police about their plan to shut down our main street and to run on top of cars like they did when Trump gave a speech. They didn’t listen… LIVE ON CNN!)
TOMI LAHREN/Turning Point, I was early to ensure safety. PD said the doors were locked, they easily entered, kicked holes in the sheetrock, pulled the fire alarm, students crying hysterically, I called 911 three times, they escorted out after twenty minutes. I met with the Student Union director about the damages, “We took care of it internally.” No charges or police reports except mine.
CHARLIE KIRK, lots of police, no problems.
RILEY GAINES… I made sure she was protected and the mob barriers away from the building. TEN PROTESTERS. Four UNM PD inside, clapped at her points. No problem… EXCEPT UNM SENT TURNING POINT A $6000 BILL FOR SECURITY. TP took it to court and the JUDGE DISMISSED IT ON “FREE SPEECH GROUNDS!” (UNM paper: “The Albuquerque Party for Socialism and Liberation and its student chapter, Students for Socialism, wrote in a collective statement to the Daily Lobo that TP-USA’s representatives and politics would not be welcomed in Albuquerque at any venue.”)
PSL/pro-Hamas MOB takes over Student Union, sixteen arrests, $40,000 in damages…. CASES DISMISSED! That’s what I’m dealing with here at UNM/ABQ!
Hopefully YAF sues till it really hurts UCLA in their pockets.
And the damages awarded are heavily punitive. But we will not have peace so long as they are here. They must be reunited to their loving families in their homelands (which is never Israel). They should not be allowed to come here for any purpose. Everything about them is inimical to us.
You nay be facing Kamala’s lawyer – her VP counsel – who has represented muslims on campus who want all Jews banned from colleges.
Time to take down all these leftists run Campuses and make them abide by the U.S. Constitution and not the Dictates of Liberal Administrators
Waste of time and effort
Today’s administration came to prominence in he 60s and 70s by burning campuses down and creating havoc. Today’s young people who find themselves on the outside, being spat upon and kicked and assaulted by cry-bullies, should burn their schools down. The most articulate among them can then go on a ”’long march through the institutions”’ of their own.
Waste of time & effort?
Not necessarily, as Riley Gaines won her lawsuit.
(College administrators are weasels who are governed by fear. They fold to pressure & lawsuits are pressure.)
The job of a UC administrator these days is to fold to pressure from the left as long as possible, then be replaced by another administrator who does the same,
This is why I have more confidence in direct action.
“Palestinian”
No such people.
So why still use a term/designation invented by the Soviets and PLO??
Freedom of speech is removed in every single idealistic tyranny.
Islamism
Leftism
Fascism
Lots of other religions in the past
Randism
AHMADINEJAD, Iranian’s Madman, who only wanted to “Wipe Israel off the Map!”, was invited to speak a COLUMBIA and there were no mob protests, the President allowed it, and the audience sat quietly until he said, “There are no gays in Iran!” Then they reacted.
Now these current mobs, chanting the same agenda as The Madman, “FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA” which is also “Wipe Israel off the Map” and that means the killing of all Jews, including Jewish students, profs, staff, and all Jews in the world… and yet they scream ISLAMOPHOBIA when today there is real Jewphobia and MAGAPhobia.
WHEN, NOT IF, JIHAD comes here, guaranteed with our open borders and our enemies are sending in warriors, WHOSE SIDE WILL THESE MOBS, PROFS, STAFF, DEMOCRATS, CONGRESS, WHITE HOUSE BE ON? The Sleeper Cells, mainly Iranian but other recruits, are waiting for the Alarm to Awaken Jihad like no country has seen. Their weapons… MATCHES AND GASOLINE! How do you stop that!!!
I remember that.
Ann Coulter would have food thrown at her.
Ahmadinejad never had to worry about his suit (straight off the set of “Scarface”) ever even being touched.
Back then a conservative speaker could have reasonable expectations of speaking without injury (Ann’s attack was from 2 rogues – not a mob)
Now a transfreak mob can chase, punch, & attempt to kidnap Riley Gaines for advocating for women’s rights.
The violent mob was praised & no arrests were made.
The “Al Pieda” dorks that accosted Ann were not only jailed, but got their liberal asses kicked as a bonus.
How the times have so soured since 2001.
Seems to me earlier this year the Queers For Palestine and other similar groups were fixtures at Palestine rallies. Correct me if I’m wrong, but some months back they seem to have suddenly disappeared. I’m sure we all know why — so Islamists don’t have to look at them. My question is, who had to say what to whom to make that happen?
You are always a voice of knowledge and reason Mr. Spencer. The scum who would protest your presentation despise knowledge and reason!!
I gave up on this poorly written article 3/4 of the way through.
I take it you like Word Salads by the Genius.
First of all I want to say, I am glad that you are safe and unharmed going through such chaos just to speak truth! Moreover, I sincerely applaud your bravery and stamina! May the Lord’s blessings be upon you Mr. Spencer >
I believe that Western countries need to take back the initiative on immigration. Invite in the people who really need a safe haven, like Christians in Pakistan and the Yazidis. And tell the economic migrants “Look, we’ve made room for you in these Islamist countries where you will be so much more at home.”