© 2024 WNMU-FM
Upper Great Lakes News, Music, and Arts & Culture
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Hundreds show up against Richard Spencer at Michigan State University

Cheyna Roth
/
Michigan Public Radio Network

EAST LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Protesters crowded into a remote corner of the Michigan State University campus Monday. Police estimate about 500 people showed up to demonstrate against white supremacist Richard Spencer. Two dozen people were arrested following violent confrontations. 

Ian Wendrow is a recent MSU graduate. He carried a wooden sign he made with his father. It’s a flag with red and black and a Star of David in the middle.

“My grandparents escaped from the Nazis and so more or less just showing that you’ve tried, you’ve failed, I’m still here, we’re always going to be here,” he said.

MSU senior Olivia Franklin also showed up to protest the address.

“This big event and us being here, although it’s bringing attention to Richard Spencer it’s bringing attention to ‘wow this is still a thing, we should work to stop that,’” she said.

MSU originally denied Spencer’s request to speak on campus. The school agreed to rent him a space usually used for rodeos and agriculture shows as part of a legal settlement.  

Some demonstrators threw rocks, fruit, and water bottles at people entering the rally. Protestors began to gather around noon across the street from the pavilion.