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Kent State denies request for Richard Spencer to speak on campus on anniversary of shooting

Posted at 10:32 AM, Jan 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-18 17:38:24-05

A lawyer and tour manager for the white nationalist leader Richard Spencer who has garnered controversy across the country for his alt-right speeches sent a request this week to host a speech at Kent State University in May.

Kent State denied that request Thursday, citing a busy week. 

Kyle Bristow tweeted on Wednesday that Georgia State University student Cameron Padgett asked the university for a space to host a speech where he would invite Spencer and Mike Peinovich of The Right Stuff.

In a letter to university obtained by News 5, Padgett asked that the event occur on May 4, 2018, which is the 48th anniversary of the Kent State shootings by the Ohio National Guard.

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He continued to say the speakers will talk to attendees about "the unfortunate modern trend of violent left-wing Antifa protestors trying to undermine the free speech rights of right-wing people."

Ohio State University, Texas A&M and the University of Florida previously rejected Spencer's request on grounds of ensuring student safety.