COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Stirring Rally at the Statehouse
It’s shaping up to be an engaging day in Columbia as State Representative Leon Howard leads a rally at the South Carolina Statehouse on Wednesday, September 18. The rally is in response to a highly controversial event scheduled to take place at the University of South Carolina that same day.
The Roast of Vice President Kamala Harris
The event that’s stirring up all the chatter is being dubbed a “roast” of Vice President Kamala Harris, hosted by Gavin McInnes, the founder of the far-right group known as the “Proud Boys,” and Milo Yiannopoulos, a controversial figure in media circles. McInnes has generated significant headlines lately, particularly as the leader of the Proud Boys, whose current head, Enrique Tarrio, is serving a lengthy sentence for various serious charges related to the January 6th events at the Capitol. Yiannopoulos, on the other hand, is known for his time as an editor at Breitbart News and his years of criticism toward social movements centered around social justice and feminism.
A Question of Values
Representative Howard didn’t hold back his concerns and spoke out against the event, saying, “It’s unacceptable that a public institution like USC would provide a platform for hateful ideologies.” According to Howard, the event doesn’t represent the community’s values of inclusion and respect. Not only does he feel this way, but he has also called for a boycott of USC football games as a form of protest against what he feels is an inappropriate platform being given to the event.
Support from Carolina for All
Howard’s rally is getting backing from Carolina for All, a non-partisan organization focused on ensuring voter access. Its director, Lawrence Moore, described the “roast” as particularly troubling, especially in light of a recent summit in Columbia aimed at combatting antisemitism at colleges, which included discussions with the South Carolina Attorney General, Alan Wilson. It’s becoming increasingly clear that this roast isn’t just about politics; it’s straying into very sensitive territory within the community.
University’s Stance
On their end, the University of South Carolina has made their position clear in a statement co-signed by President Michael D. Amiridis and Thad Westbrook, the Chair of the Board of Trustees. They emphasized their commitment to upholding First Amendment rights, stating that while they do not endorse the event, they also believe in safeguarding free speech for students. They expressed that canceling the event would set a questionable precedent. They went on to clarify that the event is not an official university function.
Governor Weighs In
Governor Henry McMaster also shared his two cents about the situation, pointing out that it’s vital to maintain that freedom of speech remains intact on college campuses unless genuine threats arise. He stated, “Unless there’s some true threat, unless there’s a real danger involved… then the university has no right to cancel it.” This raises a pivotal conversation about the balance between freedom of expression and societal values, a hot topic among many communities nationwide.
Rally and Roast Schedule
As the atmosphere grows charged, the rally supported by Carolina for All is set to kick off at 4 PM at the North Steps of the beautiful Statehouse. Meanwhile, the “roast” of Vice President Harris will take place later in the afternoon at the Russell House Ballroom on the university campus.
This unfolding situation highlights the increasing complexities universities face when balancing freedom of expression against community values. With tension brewing in Columbia, it’s likely that both the rally and the roast will draw keen attention, spotlighting the ongoing conversation around free speech, representation, and what it means to stand up for shared values.
