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White nationalist to speak at University of Cincinnati

CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati will allow white nationalist leader Richard Spencer to speak uninvited on campus, President Neville G. Pinto announced Friday.

Allowing Spencer to exercise his right to free speech avoids a First Amendment lawsuit filed against the university, our media partner WCPO-TV in Cincinnati reported.

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“As a state institution, we must adhere to the foundational rights embedded in the First Amendment,” Pinto wrote in a statement. “That includes protecting speech of all types at all times ... After all, we cannot silence those with whom we disagree without opening the doors to our own voices being silenced by those who disagree with us.”

In his Friday afternoon letter, Pinto denounced Spencer's ideology and promised to prioritize student safety in preparation for the event. The date has not been set.

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