Two arrested after protests disrupt Binghamton University speaking engagement

Show Caption Hide Caption VIDEO: Protesters disrupt Arthur Laffer presentation at Binghamton U A presentation by economist Arthur Laffer at Binghamton U, was shut down after protesters disrupted it on Nov. 18, 2019. Video provided by Sen. Fred Akshar's office.

Two individuals were arrested Monday evening after protests at a Binghamton University lecture disrupted a presentation by economist Arthur Laffer, hosted by BU's College Republicans, causing the event to be shut down.

According to a statement released by Brian Rose, BU's vice president for Student Affairs, the university is investigating the individual students and student organizations who "encouraged or participated in any activity that violated applicable law and University policies."

"The University reserves the right to pursue appropriate charges or disciplinary action against those organizations and individuals as relevant information is confirmed," Rose said in the statement.

The protests come just days after a confrontation at an outdoor display, hosted by the College Republicans, became heated and drew a response by University Police officers.

An estimated 200 students gathered around the display in a heated exchange that was partly captured on video.

It has since sparked discussion among BU officials and student groups about free speech on campus and whether the university's response to the incident was appropriate.

A video of the confrontation, posted to YouTube, has since gone viral. As of Tuesday morning, it has 110,735 views and 2,340 comments.

WARNING: Contains graphic language

Following the confrontation, the university anticipated that Monday's speaking engagement would attract demonstrators.

Due to safety concerns, the university moved the event to a larger lecture hall and allowed demonstrators the opportunity to hold their own speak-out in an adjacent lecture hall.

A "large number of police" were also deployed for the event, and attendees were asked to reserve their questions for the end of the presentation.

"Despite those measures, the lecture was immediately disrupted and the speaker was entirely prevented from addressing the audience led by an individual using a bull horn," Rose said in the statement.

The person with the bullhorn and another person who "attempted to interfere with police" were arrested, according to Rose.

"The University is incredibly disappointed with the events that happened tonight, particularly given that demonstrators were provided an adjacent lecture hall to engage in a counter discussion," Rose said. "The protesters chose instead to infringe on the expressive activity of others and to prevent those who wished to hear the speaker from doing so."

In a Facebook post Monday evening, local activist organization Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow said it did not organize Monday's protest but "only showed up to assist and help ensure the safety of Black students due to increased police presence."

"We support the actions and outrage of the students involved, and will be monitoring the University's response closely, in case PLOT actually needs to intervene," the post continued. "But tonight's very successful action is not our victory to claim. In fact, we showed up late because finding parking on that campus is a lot harder than finding Nazis on that campus."

State Sen. Fred Akshar, an Endwell Republican, was scheduled to speak at an event sponsored by the Southern Tier Young Professionals and the Binghamton University Center for Civic Engagement on Tuesday evening in the University Downtown Center, but he has cancelled the appearance, stating, "it’s become clear to me that Binghamton University’s campus has no longer become suitable for civic engagement."

"Like many campuses across the country, it appears that leftist mob mentality and brute force intimidation have been given preference over free speech and the right to peacefully assemble," Akshar said in a statement released late Monday evening.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Binghamton Mayor Richard David said he is "deeply concerned and disturbed" by the recent events.

"Binghamton University must protect the free expression of ideas on campus, and ensure that student groups like College Republicans and College Democrats are allowed to host events — including with speakers or ideas that may be countercultural or provocative — without being interrupted or shut down. The University’s position must be strong and direct," David said in the statement. “In a productive democratic society, we must be open to understanding the viewpoints and arguments of those we disagree with in order to work together to find common ground.”

What happened during the tabling event?

Rose said the College Republicans and another group known as Turning Point USA set up tables Thursday outside the Student Union in a reservable space without having followed procedures to properly secure use of the space.

The tables displayed signs that stated, "I’m pro-choice. Pick your gun" and "Coexist," spelled out with rifles and other types of firearms, according to Pipe Dream, the BU student newspaper.

Students offended by the display and disapproving of the tabling organizations' views gathered around, Rose said, and the groups twice refused to move.

University police officers responded to monitor the situation and prevent escalation, according to Rose. Counter-protesters began pulling down the tables, and sweeping political literature and other materials from the display into boxes.

Eventually, Rose said, police directed the tabling groups to leave the area and escorted them away. Some protesters viewed this as the police protecting the tabling students based on race, Rose said, and they started chanting at the officers.

More: Binghamton University student protesters clash over gun rights: What we know

The students chanted, "No justice. No peace. No racist police."

No one was injured as the incident dispersed.

BU officials are not seeking to identify or charge any protesters.

"We will continue to work within our community to facilitate the expression of the many diverse viewpoints that are present on our campus, to encourage members of our community to respect one another through disagreement, to maintain a safe campus community and to exercise professional judgment fairly to achieve those ends," Rose said in a statement released Monday.

The College Republicans said the tabling was to promote the speaking engagement with Laffer, which was sponsored by the group Young America's Foundation.

Many organizations from all political sides, including non-political groups, "table" in this manner on campus each week, BU College Republicans President John Restuccia said in a statement.

"We are calling on the school to protect the First Amendment and we demand that the university take action against those who committed criminal behavior clearly evidenced in the video," Restuccia said.

Rose, in Monday's statement, said pursuing charges would escalate an already volatile situation and "run counter to the primary interest in safely de-escalating the situation."

Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger defended the de-escalating response and called the incident unfortunate "from all perspectives."

"As an institution of higher education, freedom of speech is fundamental to our core mission; academic inquiry and the exchange of ideas rest on the principle that all have a right to express their beliefs," Stenger said in a statement. "We strongly condemn any acts that impede the expression of one's beliefs but also encourage everyone on this campus to enter into meaningful interactions with respectful dialogue and actions."

Staff writer Anthony Borrelli also contributed to this report.

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