'Aggies United' Event Planned For Dec. 6

Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young has announced plans for a university-wide “Aggies United” event for Dec. 6.

The event is timed to compete with an appearance by a white supremacist who is scheduled to speak at Rudder Tower at the same time. Full details on the the event, including links to reserve tickets, are at http://today.tamu.edu/2016/12/02/aggies-united-event-information/. The event is free, but tickets are required.

Aggies United will be co-hosted by actor and author Hill Harper and Texas A&M Student Body President Hannah Wimberly '17. It will feature performances by singer-songwriter Ben Rector and Grammy-nominated singer, actress and model V. Bozeman. Also featured will be Roland Martin '91, host and managing editor of TV One’s NewsOne Now, and Max Glauben, a Holocaust survivor who has captivated audiences with his recount of his World War II experiences.

Aggie football players Myles Garrett '18 and Trevor Knight '17 are also scheduled to appear.

Richard Spencer identifies himself as a nationalist and a leader of the "alt right," a term that is without precise definition but that generally is used to describe some white supremacists and neo-Nazis. Spencer has said the goal of his group is to create a society that bans non-whites and limits women to domestic roles. Spencer received nationwide exposure recently after he was captured on video leading an event at which his supporters used Nazi salutes and slogans. He is scheduled to speak Tuesday, Dec. 6, in a meeting room in the MSC. 

When news broke of Spencer's planned appearance, the university distanced itself from the event and Spender's message. "To be clear, Texas A&M University – including faculty, staff, students and/or student groups - did not invite this speaker to our campus nor do we endorse his rhetoric in any way," said Amy Smith, the university’s senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. "In fact, our leadership finds his views as expressed to date in direct conflict with our core values."

According to Texas A&M officials, Spencer was invited to speak on campus by a private citizen named Preston Wiginton, who reserved a room in Rudder Tower for the event.

Smith said the university could not keep Spencer from speaking or revoke Wiginton's reservation. ”Private citizens are permitted to reserve space available to the public as we are a public university," Smith said.

In a series of Twitter posts responding to complaints on social media, Shane Hinckley, Texas A&M's vice president of brand development, said the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prevents the university from stopping Spencer's appearance on campus. 

"As a public university, our facilities can be used by all groups for speeches," he wrote. "First Amendment protects the good & bad. ... Even though his speech violates our core values, as a public university his stage is protected by the First Amendment."

In a statement, President Young acknowledged "a significant outpouring of concern by members of the Aggie community and beyond" regarding Spencer's planned appearance on campus. "I find the views of the organizer - and the speaker he is apparently sponsoring - abhorrent and profoundly antithetical to everything I believe," Young said. "In my judgment, those views simply have no place in civilized dialogue and conversation."

Young's statement also acknowledged the First Amendment concerns. "Private citizens have a right to free speech on and off this campus. And while many have asked us in no uncertain terms to cancel the event, many others, including students, faculty, staff and former students (and even the editorial board of The Battalion, our student newspaper) acknowledge this right to free speech, a right enshrined in our Constitution from the very beginning and steeped in the blood of patriots who have served over the centuries to protect that right.

"So let me be clear, barring a breach of contract and/or unresolvable safety concerns, we have no plans to prohibit the speaker from using the room he has rented. Freedom of speech is a First Amendment right and a core value of this university, no matter how odious the views may be."

Young announced that Aggies United will take place on Dec. 6 at Kyle Field, scheduled for 6-9 p.m., which coincides with the time Spencer is scheduled to speak in Rudder Tower. The event is free to students, faculty, staff, and the public, but tickets are required for admission. "The Aggies United event will be an opportunity for those who want to add their name to a large wall expressing their commitment to unity to do so. We will announce entertainment, speakers and other details in the coming days," he said. 

In addition to the Aggies United event, several other protests are scheduled to coincide with Spencer's appearance. 

Last week, shortly after news broke of Spencer's visit, a group of more than two dozen Texas A&M student leaders issued a joint statement condemning Spencer's racist rhetoric:

The sentiments that Richard Spencer and his affiliates express are wholly unacceptable and have no place in civil discourse. There is no place at Texas A&M for anti-Semitic, racist, or oppressive actions and speech. These divisive sentiments threaten the campus climate and cannot go unaddressed. We are strengthened, not weakened, by our differences.

While Richard Spencer's freedom of speech and expressions are protected, so too is the right for students to respond. Our response as student leaders is this: hatred and bigotry have no place at Texas A&M. Whether or not you have personally witnessed these actions, be assured that these sentiments exist and that they are happening on our campus. We look to students and administrators to create meaningful change through civil discourse and elevating student voices, holding one another accountable to demonstrate progress. It is important to address these events centered on hate, moreover we encourage students to engage in programs and constructive dialogues."

The Association joins President Young and Texas A&M's student leaders in condemning hatred and bigotry of all kinds. We always encourage Aggies to engage in frank, honest and peaceful discussion of issues of importance to them, and we are grateful to those who choose to stand up for their fellow Aggies. Many former students called or emailed The Association to share comments about the news of Spencer's planned appearnace; we will share that feedback with Texas A&M's president.

You may also share your feedback directly with the president's office by phone, email or postal mail: 979-845-2217; PresidentYoung@tamu.edu; 1246 TAMU, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-1246.