IVC's successful free speech "forum"

Anissa and Brittany: an event was needed

     I was able to attend the first half hour of IVC's free speech forum, a response to last week's unfortunate episode of hate speech in the "free speech" zone in front of the Student Services Building.
     IVC President Glenn Roquemore spoke, offering various murky thoughts (or, at any rate, he made a series of points that yielded little clarity), although he finally offered some helpful remarks at the end of his ten-minute commentary, noting that last Wednesday's hate speakers were in no sense sponsored by the college. The college could not prohibit that speech, but neither was it sponsoring it.

Last Wednesday: hate speechifier
targets Muslims, women, gays, et al.

    Thanks for the clarification, Glenn. Took you long enough to get there.
     Next up was IVC Police Chief Will Glen, who helpfully pointed out that the speech that we encountered last week was BOTH hate speech and protected free speech, a crucial point. (It's not "either/or." See No, there’s no “hate speech” exception to the First Amendment.) And so we can't, and we shouldn't, prevent such speech.
     But we can condemn it just the same. There's no contradiction. Last week's crew was obnoxious and offensive, but they plainly were within their rights to express themselves as they did. As a judge in federal court said, in my own 1st Amendment case seventeen years ago, "That's just life under the First Amendment!" Deal with it.

Chief Glen

     Chief Glen set out the bare facts of what happened last Wednesday, noting that the speakers sought to inspire an angry reaction from students (hoping for an opportunity for noisy litigation) and succeeded in doing so. Two students were inspired to take such actions as spit gum or throw water on the speakers. Those students crossed a line. The speakers, however, had been apprised of their legal rights and were careful not to cross any lines.
     Chief Glen wisely recommended ignoring such speakers as we encountered last week.
     Next, people in the audience had an opportunity to speak, and that's when I had to leave to teach.
     More later.
     I'm glad for this event, which was well attended. We need more opportunities for thought and conversation on this campus. Let's have less astounding kiddie inventions and more discussion about issues. IVC is, after all, a college. Glenn.