Auburn, Ala. (EETV) - Auburn University officials have announced that the event featuring Richard Spencer has been canceled.
The university said in a statement, "In consultation with law enforcement, Auburn canceled the Richard Spencer event scheduled for Tuesday evening based on legitimate concerns and credible evidence that it will jeopardize the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors."
The Auburn Police Department also releasing a statement today saying, "The City of Auburn believes that the safety of all students, citizens and visitors helps make Auburn special. It is the responsibility of the Auburn Police Division to provide the students, faculty and staff of Auburn University with a safe and peaceful environment to learn and live. Based on an assessment of possible civil unrest and criminal activity during a requested event, it is the opinion of the Auburn Police Division that allowing Mr. Richard Spencer to proceed with his appearance at Foy Hall on April 22 would pose a real threat to public safety. We believe Auburn University’s decision to keep students and others safe is appropriate at this juncture."
Spencer is known for being punched at an anti-Trump event and encouraging the "hail Hitler" salute at gatherings for the National Policy Institute.
The university said in a statement, "We strongly deplore his views, which run counter to those of this institution. While his event isn’t affiliated with the university, Auburn supports the constitutional right to free speech. We encourage the campus community to respond to speech they find objectionable with their own views in civil discourse and to do so with respect and inclusion."
The Southern Poverty Law Center , a legal center focused on civil rights litigation in Montgomery, said in a statement, "we're organizing a counter-event off campus on the 18th and we're encouraging everyone to come to that. The best possible message for Auburn students to deliver to Richard Spencer is to not give any attention to his event."
The SPLC said, "he lives for attention from the media and protestors." Spencer is on a college tour, modeled similarly after alt-right Milo Yiannopolous' tour, which kicked off last year and included a visit to Auburn in October.
Spencer has repeatedly quoted from Nazi propaganda and denounced Jews, and has on several occasions refused to denounce Adolf Hitler.
"We would want to encourage the University to go further and condemn the whole notion of a separatist white student union that supports white nationalist values."
Spencer was set to speak at 7:00 in Foy Hall Auditorium on April 18th. Students started a petition to un-invite Richard Spencer to speak on campus.
