Blank stands her ground on confronting ‘alt-right’ movement – The Badger Herald

University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blanks appearance at a Tuesday shared governance meeting was met with protests against white supremacy as she answered questions regarding the recent rise of an alt-right movement on campus.

The chancellor began her portion of the meeting discussing four agenda issues:

Trump executive order impacts at least 88 in UW communityUniversity of Wisconsin officials announced Monday there are 115 faculty, students and staff impacted by President Donald Trumps executive order

On the matter of theimmigration ban, Blank saidapproximately 150 people at UW are directly affected and efforts have been taken to reach out to these individuals. Blank said Trumps shut-down of American borders has been destructive to universities across the country.

Above all, however, the discussion centered on UW student Daniel Dropiks recent proposal to start a Madison chapter of the American Freedom Party.

Blank stood by her previous statements on the topic, stating the administrationwe will not kick Dropik out of the university if all he is doing is expressing opinions.

Despite concerns expressed by members of the audience that racist rhetoric may lead to racial violence, Blank insisted free speech is the baseline and the system will come down where it comes down if Dropik attracts a following or takes further steps to start a student organization.

UW students protest alt-right, call on chancellor to condemn hate speechOne week after a University of Wisconsin student attempted to start an alt-right group on campus, students and community members

Though Blank stated several times Dropiks words and actions are personally offensive, she stood firm in her conviction that unless violence is directly incited, he is allowedto speak freely.

Additional issues arose around Dropiks felony record, which include two convictions of racially motivated arson.Blank proposed universities should be entitled to the criminal records of students, potential students and staff.

Though this could open doors to more racial issues, Blank said she believes criminal records should not be discounted in matters of admissions.

Conservative, liberal student organizations denounce alt-right movementIn a moment ofunity on the University of Wisconsin campus, student organizations from both the liberal and conservative camps have

As Blank finished her discussion, a student-led protest group disrupted the meeting chanting such things as This is our university, fuck white supremacy, No more check box and Hey Becky, whatd you say, make these fascists go away!

The group followed and continued to chant at Blank as she left out the doors of the Student Activity Center.

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Blank stands her ground on confronting 'alt-right' movement - The Badger Herald

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