“This is not normal” is supposed to be a profound observation somehow in a post-Obama America, but the irony seems lost when black-clad protesters with their faces masked wave that sign outside of a speech on campus. It didn’t seem normal, either, when violent protests in the streets became so common over the past few years that reporters had to decide which were worth covering.
Breitbart editor — sorry, controversial Breitbart editor — and Donald Trump superfan Milo Yiannopoulos spoke at the University of Colorado Boulder Wednesday night, and local media noted that things outside were becoming “slightly violent” before he took the stage.
Yeah, this is normal:
Sheriff's deputies and local police are not taking any chances at @CUBoulder as they prep for controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos #kdvr pic.twitter.com/3mGpEe10s7
— Michael Konopasek (@MikeKonopasek) January 25, 2017
Seeing police around the building where controversial Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos is expected to speak tonight at CU Boulder #9news pic.twitter.com/UjvKh1sv73
— Anusha Roy (@AnushaRoy9News) January 25, 2017
“Orange is the New Black” star Laverne Cox, “the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show,” was also scheduled to appear the same night at a separate event, so that too might explain the heavy security. Finally, there were #BuffsUnited events throughout the day.
Welcome to CU Boulder Libraries! Everyone is welcome here!#buffsunited pic.twitter.com/hlmVv3OXlS
— CU Boulder Libraries (@cublibraries) January 25, 2017
Except Milo! And maybe some other conservatives. It depends.
Cancelation rumors not true. Milo, @LaverneCox & @BuffsUnited are all on for tonight. Here’s what you need to know. https://t.co/kNYJ04icke
— CU Boulder (@CUBoulder) January 25, 2017
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What you need to know is that the university has issued the standard disclaimer that it supports the right to freedom of speech, that the school’s president personally feels strongly that discrimination and harassment have no place on campus, and that hosting a speaker on campus is not an endorsement of his views. Weird that the school’s announcement of the Laverne Cox appearance didn’t have that disclaimer.
The VP for the local College Republicans say they believe in free speech and free press.
— Anusha Roy (@AnushaRoy9News) January 25, 2017
And believe Yiannopoulos represents that even if they don't agree with everything he says. #9news
— Anusha Roy (@AnushaRoy9News) January 25, 2017
Shocking!
Security is tight at the university's mathematics building. @CUBoulder Speaker is #MiloYiannopoulos –many call him racist & hater of gays pic.twitter.com/ztbstnFjcT
— Michael Konopasek (@MikeKonopasek) January 25, 2017
We don’t know who the many are who think Milo’s a racist and hater of gays, but — just between us — word is that Milo is more of a lover than a hater when it comes to gay men.
Protestors chanting meeting counter-protest #9news pic.twitter.com/0i89HU8pME
— Anusha Roy (@AnushaRoy9News) January 26, 2017
The protest has started at the University of Colorado #kdvr #kwgn pic.twitter.com/ercSm56ri1
— Michael Konopasek (@MikeKonopasek) January 26, 2017
Things are starting to get slightly violent @CUBoulder pic.twitter.com/V3Vm4vbn82
— Michael Konopasek (@MikeKonopasek) January 26, 2017
We’ve noticed over the years that the violent protests usually tend to start out “slightly violent” and work their way up rather than the other way around.
More pic.twitter.com/tMem5ZMTEb
— Michael Konopasek (@MikeKonopasek) January 26, 2017
They are chanting, "No KKK, no fascist USA, no @realDonaldTrump" pic.twitter.com/abDh9Rciuj
— Michael Konopasek (@MikeKonopasek) January 26, 2017
"I CAME HERE TO STUDY THE HUMANITIES AND PUNCH NAZIS AND THEY JUST CUT FUNDING FOR THE HUMANITIES" at CU Boulder protest against #Milo pic.twitter.com/FXSUHAxehS
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) January 26, 2017
"We have to stand up and let our voices be heard," protester at Milo Yiannopoulos #CUBoulder event https://t.co/PiFHLNTMP2 via @SarahKuta pic.twitter.com/UNgR9CuK4W
— Longmont Times-Call (@TimesCall) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/MTimJones/status/824442030248099840
Here’s a quick peek inside, just to count all the Klan hoods.
#MiloatCU talking about "Why Ugly People Hate Me" pic.twitter.com/42U6YlzjFM
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
Milo says ugly people end up left wing and plans to explain why. #MiloatCU
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
Milo says ugly people have been the leaders of every liberal movement ever. "They tend to be sexless and joyless people" #MiloatCU
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
Sorry, too triggering.
* * *
Update:
Protests are ongoing, with at least one flag burning (possibly a Confederate flag) to make the evening complete.
Police have put up a barricade at CU Boulder #9news pic.twitter.com/hm0UMGAGYX
— Anusha Roy (@AnushaRoy9News) January 26, 2017
Protestors standing around a burning flag…they say it was a confederate flag taken from a counter-protestor #9news pic.twitter.com/ovYeRV6OpU
— Anusha Roy (@AnushaRoy9News) January 26, 2017
#MiloatCU walked out flanked by at least four body guards. Organizers are talking about how to get the event attendees outside
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
Having to escort people safely out of speaking event on a college campus … this is normal, right? How are we supposed to tell when things are normal again; when the demonstrators all decide to stay home and let citizens live their lives?
Event organizers have attendees leave from a different door than the one they entered thru. No protesters on this side #miloatCU
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
Demonstrators got wise to plan and started marching and chanting toward the attendees exiting. "Hey they're coming out this way!" #miloatcu
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
Get ’em! Obviously if they attended Milo’s speech they shouldn’t be allowed to just walk home.
Not totally clear what's going on. Everyone, including police, standing in a big crowd in parking lot. I am glad I parked across the street
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
Crowd chanting "Who do you protect? Who do you serve?" At police. #miloatCU
— Sarah Kuta (@SarahKuta) January 26, 2017
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