Photos: Signs of peace displayed at UF before speech by white nationalist
5:42 p.m. update: Gainesville Police Department said it got reports of a single shot fired by a man in a silver Jeep. No one was hurt. Police are encouraging anyone with any information about the shot fired to call GPD at 352-955-1818.
Reports of a single shot fired at 34th/Archer just before 5:30p. White male in Silver Jeep reportedly fired one shot and fled. Nobody hit.
— Gainesville Police (@GainesvillePD) October 19, 2017
Anyone with info regarding single shot fired from Silver Jeep should call 955-1818. PIO enroute to scene shortly.
— Gainesville Police (@GainesvillePD) October 19, 2017
4:40 p.m. update: Police escorted a man away from protesters after they swarmed him as he was coming out of Spencer's speech.
A crowd gathered at the exit area waiting for people leaving the auditorium after the speech.
Officers just put this Spencer supporter in handcuff after protestors starting chasing him. #spenceratUF pic.twitter.com/bPJKCSQzWb
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
Protestors swarmed around a man coming out of Spencer's speech. He hopped a fence in the protest zone. #SpenceratUF pic.twitter.com/fKcsvjUqtJ
— Kathryn Varn (@kathrynvarn) October 19, 2017
Crowd gathers at exit area waiting for supporters of Spencer #SpencerAtUf pic.twitter.com/j5K8NQzsYq
— Kaitlin Hall (@KaitlinHallUF) October 19, 2017
Protesters running out a man leaving the Spencer event #SpenceratUF pic.twitter.com/godW5c8V8l
— Taylour Marks (@taylourmarks) October 19, 2017
3:55 p.m. update: Police detained a man who rode his bike past barricades on the street.
The crowd is growing outside the auditorium.
Police just arrested a man for riding his bike past multiple barricades. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/RqOHENv9G3
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) October 19, 2017
Crowd is growing outside the arena during the White Nationalist speech. @ActionNewsJax #UF pic.twitter.com/gED2Utxezv
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) October 19, 2017
3:30 p.m. update: There have been several clashes at UF as Richard Spencer speaks at the Phillips Center.
Punches were thrown at a man who claimed to be Nazi. Several other people have gotten into arguments.
Warning: Videos contain graphic language.
Spencer and his co-speakers are still in the auditorium speaking to the crowd.
3:20 p.m. update: Protesters chased a man with swastikas on his shirt out of the protest zone.
Law enforcement pulled him away from the crowd and is barricading him.
The man protestors chased out. Law enforcement pulled him away from the crowd and are now barricading him. #SoenceratUF pic.twitter.com/MLts7pBqtD
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
2:45 p.m. update: People are standing and chanting "Go home Spencer" in the auditorium as Spencer is on stage at UF.
People are continuing to protest inside and outside the auditorium.
WATCH LIVE: Richard Spencer speaks at University of FloridaWhite nationalist Richard Spencer speaks at University of Florida. http://at.wftv.com/2xRhUKs
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Thursday, October 19, 2017
As Spencer speaks inside, hundreds of protestors yell, “this is what democracy looks like” and “Black lives matter.” #SpencerAtUF pic.twitter.com/SBgOccoNB8
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
2:10 p.m. update: A man says he was denied access to Spencer's speech because of his cane.
Seth Smith was denied into the event because of his cane. pic.twitter.com/Oa2dcRoFdR
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
Gainesville Fire Rescue treated a woman who was lying on the ground.
The speech is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.
Lots of empty seats here moments before Spencer’s speech is set to begin. pic.twitter.com/MJc03PH4lz
— Joe Heim (@JoeHeim) October 19, 2017
1:45 p.m. update: People are beginning to enter the Phillips Center at UF for Richard Spencer's speech.
Spencer's security team is screening people as they get tickets for the event.
Richard Spencer's security team screens people as they get tickets to attend his speech at Phillips Center #SpencerAtUF pic.twitter.com/dmc2ZIBRub
— Will Vragovic (@willvrag) October 19, 2017
Hundreds of protesters and supporters are gathered outside the venue.
Sky Action News Jax is live above campus:
Chopper video above UF ahead of Richard Spencer speechWATCH LIVE: Sky Action News Jax is flying above UF ahead of Richard Spencer's speech. Who is Richard Spencer? 5 things to know about prominent white nationalist:http://bit.ly/2yAmgJl
Posted by Action News Jax on Thursday, October 19, 2017
1:15 p.m. update: A plane is flying a banner over UF that says "Love conquers hate! Love will prevail!"
Plane flying over with sign “love conquers hate! Love will prevail!” #spenceratUF pic.twitter.com/JNclKyUlcE
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
Protesters are gathering at the protest area at the venue.
Supporters tell Palm Beach Post reporter Paige Fry that they came out to support Richard Spencer.
A man told Fry he drove four hours to see Spencer.
Another supporter said he came to listen to Spencer and learn a new angle on life.
Brian, from Southwest Florida, said he drove 4 hours to see Spencer “I see people are using violence and intimidation to stifle free speech”
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
George, 20 y/o UF history senior, said he came to support Spencer’s free speech. “He has a right to be here,” he said. #Spenceratuf
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
12:40 p.m. update: Protesters are marching down 34th Street in Gainesville.
They are chanting: "Say it loud, say it clear. Nazis are not welcomed here."
Watch live chopper video:
WATCH LIVE: Protesters are marching in Gainesville ahead of Richard Spencer's speech at UF. Live updates: http://bit.ly/2zAdzgH
Posted by Action News Jax on Thursday, October 19, 2017
Police in riot gear are in the area.
Some strongly armed law enforcement officers are here. #SpencerAtUf pic.twitter.com/LEbWTw7UX4
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
12:30 p.m. update: Someone wearing a press pass at UF has reportedly been detained outside a university building.
A photo by a Pensacola reporter shows the man in handcuffs.
#BREAKING: arrest at #SpencerAtUF event. Man wearing a press pass issued by @UF currently cuffed. We are waiting to learn more. pic.twitter.com/qDJ7bM5kp1
— Scoop Anderson (@ScoopAnderson) October 19, 2017
12:15 p.m. update: Sniper tents are set up on buildings at UF ahead of Spencer's planned speech.
There are also snipers set up on the building facing the Phillips center. @ActionNewsJax #UF pic.twitter.com/8sSyiL4dju
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
Protesters have gathered for a planned walk to the Phillips Center. Many students are holding signs denouncing racism and hate.
Roxanne Palmer, 30 of Gainesville & the Cen FL Democratic Socialists of America, made this sign herself. pic.twitter.com/6In1W8MQeh
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
“I’m worried hate groups are becoming stronger under our current administration,” said Selena Tonga, a 34 y/o UF veterinary PhD student. pic.twitter.com/ZVpyCHiwuF
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
Original story: More than 500 law enforcement officers have gathered at the University of Florida ahead of a speech by white nationalist Richard Spencer.
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency ahead of Thursday afternoon's event.
The school estimates it will spend $600,000 on security for Spencer's planned speech.
Florida Highway Patrol presence here at UF. I've been to this campus several times and have never seen anything like this. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/YB59I34MFb
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
This is because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says the government, in this case a public university, cannot charge speakers for security costs.
Spencer's National Policy Institute is paying $10,564 to rent space for the event.
Law enforcement has staged in Gainesville in case of potential violence after a rally Spencer attended in Charlottesville, Virginia in August led to deadly violence.
Praying for peace and calm in Gainesville today #noviolence pic.twitter.com/dF0JcZRKao
— Putnam County (Fla.) SO (@PutnamCountySO) October 19, 2017
UF President Kent Fuchs originally rejected Spencer's plan to speak on campus last month but relented after Spencer threatened to sue.
Some students plan to protest what they consider to be hate speech. Others said they will keep their distance.
Today is the Day. @GainesvillePD @UFPublicSafety @FhpJacksonville and ALL of our new LEO Partners are all #OneTeamOneMission. You are Safe!
— Alachua Co. Sheriff (@AlachuaSheriff) October 19, 2017
Tall Paul's Brew House in Gainesville released a statement after the speech organizer claims he was kicked out of the bar. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/whSKOx2Zck
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
Messages of unity outside of Tall Paul's Brew House in downtown Gainesville. This is the bar that speech organizer, Cameron Padgett said he was kicked out of last night. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/efgVxg6D3d
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
Preparations underway for Richard Spencer speech at UF pic.twitter.com/xpL5GFk9Tt
— Ben Becker (@BenBeckerANjax) October 19, 2017
Don't trust rumors spread on social media. Visit https://t.co/XkKtBQT0MP for facts and updates.
— UF Public Safety (@UFPublicSafety) October 19, 2017
Water balloons made the list of prohibited items at the venue where white nationalist Richard Spencer will speak. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/YYw1hCXAbJ
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
We've seen several signs like this one hanging from buildings on UF's campus. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/2DWspwPvXR
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
Someone taped these signs all around campus. #SpencerAtUF pic.twitter.com/Dth54keqUg
— Paige Fry (@paigexfry) October 19, 2017
Officers arriving with riot gear helmets and gas masks. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/Q33ut4fx6t
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
Barriers going up. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/QNPIhvRsgy
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
UF students I spoke with say they have never seen the campus this quiet. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/AA3wrsid5R
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
Barriers set up in front of the performance center of the arts at UF. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/eNHgWe3DZk
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
It's fairly quiet in front of the venue. I saw one man with a sign. It's mostly media. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/jfAt6BkFhh
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2017
The 311 rumor control telephone number will be activated at 5PM today. https://t.co/WFVE6vfqjM
— City of Gainesville (@GainesvilleGov) October 18, 2017
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