White Nationalist’s Appearance at Texas A&M Draws Hundreds of Protesters
COLLEGE STATION, Texas
Richard Bertrand Spencer, the white nationalist and creator of the term “alt-right” who has gained a measure of notoriety since President-elect Donald Trump’s Election Day victory, filled a 400-seat ballroom Tuesday night at Texas A&M.
But the diversity he shuns was present in large numbers. Many African-American students and students of other nationalities and backgrounds came to hear Spencer’s message and, at times, they responded to him while he was in midsentence.
Richard Spencer, a leading promoter of white nationalism, was speaking at Texas A&M on Tuesday night. Linda Davidson The Washington Post i Richard Spencer, a leading promoter of white nationalism, was speaking at Texas A&M on Tuesday night. Linda Davidson The Washington Post
The number of supporters of the white nationalist leader, mostly white males, some of college age and others much older, appeared to be quite small. When Spencer made a point, only a smattering of applause could be heard.
Meanwhile, on Joe Routt Boulevard, between the site of Spencer’s speech at the Memorial Student Center and Kyle Field, where A&M officials put together a coinciding event called Aggies Unite, a sizable group of protesters marched, holding signs and chanting. Nearly two hours into the event, state troopers wearing helmets pushed the crowd away from the student center building and locked the doors to prevent people from entering.
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