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MSU denies white supremacist’s request to speak on campus

Posted at 4:55 PM, Aug 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-17 18:28:23-04

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University says it has denied a request to rent space to a group headed by white nationalist Richard Spencer.

The university says in a release that the decision to deny the National Policy Institute’s request “was made due to significant concerns about public safety in the wake of the tragic violence in Charlottesville last weekend.”

The school says it consulted with police before making the decision.

On Wednesday, the University of Florida also denied a request by the group to rent space on campus for a September event.

MSU’s full statement issued Thursday reads:

After consultation with law enforcement officials, Michigan State University has decided to deny the National Policy Institute’s request to rent space on campus to accommodate a speaker. This decision was made due to significant concerns about public safety in the wake of the tragic violence in Charlottesville last weekend. While we remain firm in our commitment to freedom of expression, our first obligation is to the safety and security of our students and our community.

This is a developing story

The Associated Press contributed to this report