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White nationalist to speak at Michigan State

Posted at 3:22 PM, Jan 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-18 15:22:20-05

(AP) – Michigan State University has agreed to allow white nationalist Richard Spencer to speak on campus during spring break.

The deal signed Thursday says Spencer can appear on March 5. But he’ll be at the livestock pavilion auditorium, away from the heart of campus.

Spencer ally Cameron Padgett must pay $1,650 and come up with at least $2 million in liability insurance. Michigan State will arrange for police.

The deal settles a lawsuit filed after Michigan State last summer cited public safety and refused to rent space. Padgett said the school was violating free speech rights.

Spencer popularized the term “alt-right” to refer to a fringe movement that’s a mix of white nationalist, white supremacist, anti-Semitic and anti-immigration beliefs.

Under the deal, Michigan State is paying $27,000 for Padgett’s legal fees.