American University
WASHINGTON – Students at American University gathered on Tuesday to protest a speaker on campus, according to American University Police Department.
Amber Athey, an editor at The Daily Caller, arrived at American with a controversial speech topic. The speech was originally entitled “No, Don’t Believe All Women” and was then changed to “Your Due Process: #MeToo”.
One of American’s students, Verónica Del Valle, said she was angry and scared when she heard Athey was coming, especially due to the original title.
Del Valle said, “As soon as I saw the original title of the speech, I knew that I needed to get involved. I couldn’t just let my school allow someone like her to speak.”
The group of students were planning to enter the speech to protest but were stopped by the campus police. Instead of entering the room with Athey inside, they gathered outside the room and chanted, “We believe survivors.” They also took turns sharing their feelings and ideas about the topic at hand.
“Yes, I was disappointed we could not enter the room. Even though the protest did not go as planned, it was really well executed, and our point was heard,” said Del Valle.
Another student who participated in the protest was Jay Wolfson. Wolfson brought two students from other colleges with him because he wants all voices to be heard. He said, “I want students at American to believe survivors, get connected, and to know what is happening on our campus.”
For Wolfson, it was less about protesting Athey’s speech and more about encouraging his peers to protest for what is right. “I am surprised how little students at my school know what is actually going on around campus. It is up to us to protect our school,” said Wolfson.
One of the core organizers in the protest, Francesca Suarez, said, “I am a survivor. This protest was close to my heart.”
Suarez insisted it was a group effort of planning. Everyone agreed on a peaceful protest and worked together to make the posters. “We are just a group of concerned students who want the administration to listen,” Suarez said.
Suarez does not want the administration at American to allow a speaker with Athey’s point of view back again. “We cannot give credence to these types of views on campus for the sake of survivors and all students,” said Suarez.
Suarez also touched on the campus police presence. She said, “AUPD overreacted. In fact, it was somewhat hilarious because it shined a light on the issue of police overusing their force in the nation and on the university level.”
Jackson Yoder, a student who participated in the protest, is worried about the future of American students. “I do not want anyone to feel comfortable as a perpetrator,” he said.
Yoder is especially concerned with those who attended Athey’s speech. “My worry is someone in the audience of that speech, 30 years from now, will feel their actions do not warrant consequence,” he said.