“We live in a country where everyone has the right to voice
their opinion, however, we have zero tolerance for violence and public safety
is always our number one priority,” Scott said. “This executive order is an
additional step to ensure that the University of Florida and the entire
community is prepared so everyone can stay safe.”
The executive order allows the state and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate resources from other state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. It says that this is necessary because “prior speaking engagements involving Mr. Spencer at universities in Alabama, California, Texas, and Virginia have sparked protests and counter-protests resulting in episodes of violence, civil unrest, and multiple arrests.”
Last month, the Orlando Sentinel reported that “after
violence erupted during a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., UF
rejected Spencer’s request to speak on its campus Sept. 12. However, facing a
possible lawsuit, the university this month relented, setting a tentative date
for Oct. 19.”
That original rejection also followed criticism by
state Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg. Rouson said UF should not
let the event happened due to the threat to public safety.