Conservative speaker Ann Coulter plan to speak on UC Berkeley's Sproul Plaza on Thursday. She is expected to bring her own security for her afternoon appearance, but campus officials fear that won't be sufficient.
Despite campus officials urging her to reschedule for a later date due to security concerns, Coulter is determined to speak at Berkeley. On Tuesday, UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof said that they will do what they can in the short amount of time to provide safety and security to students, other members of the campus community, the public and if needed Ms. Coulter.
Mogulof added that they could not bar Coulter from speaking in Sproul Plaza as it has a historic significance for UC. Aside from it being one of the campus entrances it was also the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in 1964. Sproul Plaza is open to the public, SF Gate reported.
The Hill reported UC Berkeley's chancellor Nicholas Dirks said the school is worried about not being able to screen attendees for weapons.
Coulter was originally invited to speak Thursday by the Berkeley College Republicans. UC officials said they could not ensure the safety of those attending and offered to reschedule on May 2. Coulter refused as the proposed date would be a "Dead Week" where students would be studying for finals.
Sponsors of the speech, Berkeley College Republicans and Young America's Foundation sued the University of California on Monday over the cancellation. Young America's Foundation backed out of the event on Tuesday and said UC Berkeley failed to meet the demands after refusing to provide a proper venue for six weeks.
It was not immediately clear exactly when Coulter plans to show up but despite the cancellation she said through her social media posts that she would still speak at UC Berkeley. The students and staff at UC Berkeley opposed to Coulter's appearance. They said Tuesday that they planned to hold a demonstration on Thursday at 5 p.m. Students affiliated with the International Socialist Organization and labor groups said they plan to rally Thursday afternoon regardless of Coulter's plans.
