Wasserman Schultz Applauds UF for Prioritizing Student Safety

Washington, August 16, 2017
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement today in response to the University of Florida’s decision to deny a request from a white supremacist organization to hold an event on campus:

“Today I am especially proud to be a Florida Gator. In the shadow of Charlottesville, we stand at a crucial moment when our leaders and institutions must confront hate and violence without ambiguity.

As a University of Florida alumnae and now a Gator parent, I applaud UF President W. Kent Fuchs for taking action to protect the students on campus and the broader Gainesville community in the face of a serious risk of violence. While we as a nation must remain fiercely committed to protecting free speech, campus leaders have the higher obligation to shield students from physical harm.

Let me state unequivocally: there is no place in America for violent white supremacists or domestic terrorism. There are not two sides to this issue. Thankfully, because of the wise, deliberative decision taken by President Fuchs, the tens of thousands of members of the University of Florida community can walk around campus knowing their safety and security will not be compromised.”

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