White nationalist Richard Spencer tried to speak in Florida but protesters weren't having it
Richard Spencer definitely did not receive a warm or sunny welcome from the University of Florida.
On Thursday, massive crowds gathered to protest the white nationalist and alt-right founder's visit to campus. As he attempted to give a speech on his beliefs, he was overwhelmed by chants condemning white supremacy and neo-Nazism.
SEE ALSO: A handful of racists snuck back to Charlottesville under the cover of night for another 'protest'
In protest of Spencer's arrival, students marched together in the streets outside the university, carrying signs and chanting against white supremacists, the KKK, and fascism.
Protestors steadily coming down SW 34th chanting "No KKK no fascist USA" #SpencerAtUF@NoNazisAtUF@UNFspinnakerpic.twitter.com/aGSLdhtmJ2
— Tiffany Salameh (@tiffanysalameh) October 19, 2017
The crowd outside the Phillips Center where the Richard Spencer event is taking place. @WUFTNewspic.twitter.com/l6EgXSpnTD
— Daniela Garrido (@danielavgarrido) October 19, 2017
Jennie Richards from Jacksonville stands with her sign to protest #SpencerAtUFpic.twitter.com/5ne0wAoZnc
— Emily Michot (@EmilyMichot) October 19, 2017
Alex Tepperman, 34, a UF PHD student. "It's kind of a miserable experience to confront people who want you wiped off the face of the earth." pic.twitter.com/TbrtSIyGBQ
— Ian Cohen (@icohenb) October 19, 2017
Father John and daughter Faith Donahue are protesting together. It was Faith’s idea, but John says he’s happy to support her. #SpenceratUFpic.twitter.com/HUBhoG2Iyn
— Jimena Tavel (@taveljimena) October 19, 2017
Chants of "Black lives matter!" Begin as rain falls on protesters #SpencerAtUF#NoNazisatUF@TheAlligatorpic.twitter.com/lKsvnhXuji
— Taylour Marks (@taylourmarks) October 19, 2017
This is James Valsaint, 30. He drove up from Miami at 4 a.m. today to protest Spencer and racial injustice, he said pic.twitter.com/SnS5j7hEo3
— David Hoffman (@hoffdavid123) October 19, 2017
“Hate speech is not free speech,” said Carol Mosley, 66 of Graham. #spenceratUFpic.twitter.com/8gLqqzQBBW
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
“I’m worried hate groups are becoming stronger under our current administration,” said Selena Tonga, a 34 y/o UF veterinary PhD student. pic.twitter.com/ZVpyCHiwuF
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
Meanwhile, inside the auditorium crowds chanted phrases like "SAY IT LOUD, SAY IT CLEAR, NAZIS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE" and "GO HOME, SPENCER," making it nearly impossible for the alt-right leader to get a word in on the mic.
They're still going. Now it's SAY IT LOUD SAY IT CLEAR NAZIS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE #SpencerAtUFpic.twitter.com/pNKd4QyaJV
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) October 19, 2017
Police remove anti-Spencer student after confrontation with men who appear to support Spencer. #SpenceratUFpic.twitter.com/PZaUOZP2jw
— Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) October 19, 2017
Majority of Gainesville audience stands, fists raised and begins chanting "Go home Spencer!" pic.twitter.com/hG7bzC3znY
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) October 19, 2017
This "GO HOME SPENCER" chant is not letting up. He's asking over and over to be able to speak. Students raise fists. #SpencerAtUFpic.twitter.com/wtffRVLmT1
— Claire McNeill (@clairemcneill) October 19, 2017
A striking image of a man wearing a shirt covered in swastikas getting punched in the face was captured amidst the protests. Footage shows those around him spitting and yelling at him as he walks through the crowd.
A man wearing swastikas is punched at a protest against white nationalist #RichardSpencerhttps://t.co/NQx2rLelNW#SpenceratUF📷:Brian Blanco pic.twitter.com/DuK6b8VmIX
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) October 19, 2017
The incident was reminiscent of when Spencer was punched in the face earlier this year.
As CNN noted, in anticipation of Spencer's arrival Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Alachua County on Monday, so authorities had advanced notice and were present on the scene.
"I find that the threat of a potential emergency is imminent," Scott wrote in the executive order, explaining that protests and counter-protests have broken out at Spencer's visits to other universities in Alabama, Texas, California, and Virginia in the past.
It's past 1 pm outside the one entrance to Spencer's venue. Unclear where or how tickets to the event will be given out. pic.twitter.com/ifaHQFi3xb
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) October 19, 2017
QRF members walk toward century tower. Not an everyday sight. #spenceratUFpic.twitter.com/DLV3eoUBuv
— Jessica Giles (@jessica_giles_) October 19, 2017
This was Spencer's first college campus visit since leading the Charlottesville, Virginia, "Unite the Right" rally back in August. The violent clash in Charlottesville resulted in the death of Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old anti-hate protester.
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