A&M regent: University had 'factual basis' to expect violence at Sept. 11 White Lives Matter event

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Regents at the Texas A&M University System cheered the system’s flagship’s decision to cancel a White Lives Matter event on Sept. 11 at a Wednesday board meeting.

In the afternoon, the board approved a resolution expressing support for the decision.

Chairman Charles Schwartz, a longtime attorney in Houston, said that A&M consulted with law and public safety experts and had “a firm factual basis" to expect violence at the event before cancelling the permit.

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He said the university is committed to free speech, as evidenced by the December event featuring white nationalist Richard Spencer.

“Violence has no place in a university setting,” he said. "I support our administration and condemn those who claim a right under the First Amendment to incite violence and those who would put the safety of our campus community at risk."

The resolution approved by trustees read:

"We, the members of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, express our full support for Texas A&M University's recent decision to cancel the events scheduled for Sept. 11, 2017. Across the system, we strongly embrace the First Amendment and believe that a university is a marketplace of ideas. However, we do not believe that the First Amendment requires us to allow violence on our campuses, and our obligation to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff is first and foremost."

Earlier Wednesday, event organizer Preston Wiginton said he had filed a complaint with the ACLU, alleging that his free-speech rights had been threatened.

“I ask you to reconsider your decision on banning my event,” he said in a press release directed at regents. “If you silence me, the issues of hatred toward white people, destroying their heritage …taking down statues and rapidly changing demographics will not go away.”