COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M University has cancelled an event scheduled for Sept. 11 on campus that was scheduled by white nationalist Preston Wiginton.
Fewer than 24 hours after the tragic events in Charlottesville, white nationalists announced they were planning a protest at the university.
University officials said the decision was made after consulting with law enforcement and considerable study due to concerns about the safety of its students, faculty, staff, and the public.
University leaders said linking the tragedy of Charlottesville with the Texas A&M event created a major security risk on campus.
MORE | Texas A&M criticizes white nationalist planning campus rally
Richard Spencer was expected to be back in College Station for a Sept. 11 "white lives matter" rally. The university criticized the event calling it "counter to the core values of Texas A&M." The event, called “Today Charlottesville, Tomorrow Texas A&M”, was scheduled by Wiginton at Rudder Plaza.
After the university said it could not stop free speech, Chancellor John Sharp reversed the decision and cancelled the event.
The university released a statement that read in part:
Texas A&M’s support of the First Amendment and the freedom of speech cannot be questioned. On December 6, 2016 the university and law enforcement allowed the same speaker the opportunity to share his views, taking all of the necessary precautions to ensure a peaceful event. However, in this case, circumstances and information relating to the event have changed and the risks of threat to life and safety compel us to cancel the event.
Finally, the thoughts and prayers of Aggies here on campus and around the world are with those individuals affected by the tragedy in Charlottesville.