Yale Law students derail bipartisan 'free speech' event in chaotic protest
In this video obtained by Fox News, Yale Law School students protest speakers at a bipartisan free speech event.
A free speech expert says Yale Law School should students who disrupted a free speech panel on March 10 accountable for their actions.
The Yale University Federalist Society hosted a March 10 panel featuring Kristen Waggoner, general counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, and Monica Miller, legal director at the American Humanist Association.
Around 120 student protesters showed up at the event with signs reading "f--k fascists," "tired of this sh--," and "be less mean." According to the Yale Daily News, Zack Austin, president of Yale's Federalist Society chapter and Waggoner both said that the protesters were disruptive and inappropriate, which the protesters dispute.
FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS YALE LAW STUDENTS WHO DISRUPTED FREE SPEECH PANEL SHOULD BE 'NOTED': EMAIL
A Yale University sign in New Haven, Conn. (iStock)
In audio from the event released by Alliance Defending Freedom, several audience members were yelling over the speaker at the event.
"Protect trans kids," students could be heard shouting during the event.
One Yale Law School student who attended the event said on Twitter that he could "hear virtually none of it the entire time," due to the protesters.
Cherise Trump, executive director of Speech First, told Fox News that the incident shows that many students don't understand free speech.
"It is apparent that many students do not understand fundamental principles of free speech. The fact that a free speech event was disrupted by law students shows how rampant this issue actually is. Universities need to take responsibility as institutions of education and actually educate students about speech rights in America," Trump said.
More than 120 students at Yale Law School protested a bipartisan free speech event on March 10. (Google Maps)
She added that Yale Law School should "condemn" these kinds of activities by protesters who attempt to block others from speaking.
"Even more so, when their students actively try to squash the speech rights of their fellow peers, universities should condemn these activities and call them out for suppressing speech," Trump said.
According to the report, Yale Police Department Assistant Chief Anthony Campbell said that six police officers were at the event "not to enforce YLS policy but rather to protect the safety of the demonstrators and those they were protesting."
A free speech expert says Yale Law School should call out students who disrupted a free speech panel on March 10. (Reuters)
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In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Yale Law School spokesperson said that it has a free speech policy, but didn't elaborate on if the protesters would be contacted by administrators for their actions.
"We then work with the police to determine the appropriate level of support for the particular visitor and/or event," the spokesperson said. "The Law School follows the University’s free speech policy and procedures, which includes a three strikes rule. As soon as the moderator read the University’s policy for the first time, the students exited the event, and it went forward. Members of the Administration are nonetheless in serious conversation with students about our policies, expectations, and norms."
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