Protestors, supporters gather on HUB lawn for Riley Gaines’ Free … – The Daily Collegian

Editors Note: Some of the names in this story have been changed to protect the identities of the individuals involved. The Daily Collegian has verified through fact checking these individuals exist.

The Penn State chapter of Turning Point USA and Young Americans for Freedom at Penn State held a Free Speech Rally with Riley Gaines, a former Division I swimmer who speaks out against transgender athletes' inclusion in women's sports.

A counter protest was scheduled at the same time on the HUB-Robeson Center Lawn.

Jack Kentner, one of the main organizers of the event and the president of Young Americans for Freedom at Penn State, said this was a collaborative effort with Turning Point to ensure Gaines would speak on campus.

We learned that Riley Gaines was going to be speaking with TP USA, and they ran into some trouble, Kentner, a fourth-year studying political science and film production, said. So we decided to collab since we share similar grievances to hold a freedom of speech rally at the HUB lawn, a freedom of speech zone.

Kentner said he and his organization tried to promote the event through word of mouth and among their own circles.

According to Kentner, the reasons behind why he believes its important to bring speakers such as Riley Gaines to campus are two-fold.

The first is to highlight the inherent unfairness of trans women being in women's sports because the distinction between women's and men's sports doesn't just stop at sex, Kentner said. We're collaborating to show that freedom of speech is not optional on campus, it furthers intellectual discourse.

Kentner said he hopes that events like this will improve Penn States recent freedom of speech below ranking, which was at 189 or below average in comparison to other universities.

According to Kentner, there needs to be a space where women can break records without competing against transgender women.

I believe that a third division can be made that's more inclusive to trans individuals, that doesn't come at the expense of biological women, Kentner said. I do believe, to any trans advocates out there, that thats a more pragmatic solution.

Luke Gosnell, a protester, said when he arrived at the event, he noticed two students being detained by police. These two students were detained for disorderly conduct, according to police.

Right when I got here, the university was arresting multiple students for seemingly meaningless interactions that happen on this campus all the time, and that is something I am very upset about, Gosnell, a second-year studying political science, said.

Gosnell said he arrived to protest the demonstration set up by the far right people here."

We shouldnt be allowing this sort of hate speech on campus, Gosnell said.

Henry Han, another protester, said he was at the scene to support a group he was formerly in, the United Socialists at Penn State University.

I feel like this is a publicity stunt, Han, a third-year studying computer science, said. From what I heard, the speaker didnt properly confirm the scheduling with Penn State and is now blaming Penn State for kicking her out.

Eamon Foley, one of the event organizers and the president of Turning Point at Penn State, said he takes a little responsibility for the initially scheduled event falling through.

In response, Foley, a third-year studying economics, said he chose to have the event at the HUB-Robeson Center lawn.

He said Turning Point at Penn State also tried to organize the event at the Flex Theater in the HUB but Foley said university policy requires 30 academic days in advance to start the contract process when inviting public speakers.

Initially, Turning Point USA, the student group bringing Ms. Gaines to campus, soughtindoor space, but did not meet the deadline forsubmitting the required reservation documents an expectation upheld for any recognized student organization at Penn State, according to a university statement.

At the event, both Turning Point and Young Americans for Freedom set up their table at the top of the HUB lawn where Riley Gaines was set to speak.

As part of their demonstration they brought a large free speech beach ball where Foley said people could write anything they wanted. There was also a baseball pitching net, where participants could throw a pitch.

What people can do is they can take one of these baseballs, throw it into the net (and) record the throwing speed, Foley said. It's supposed to show the distinction between the athletic advantage between men and women.

Around 4:15 p.m., protesters started to gather on the HUB lawn and about 13 protesters stood near the Turning Point and Young Americans for Freedom table holding a large transgender pride flag.

One of the protesters, Winter Parts, took part in the game and pitched a ball onto the net.

After throwing the pitch, Parts, a graduate student studying astronomy, went to the sign and wrote nonbinary in the middle of it and recorded their time.

Kathy, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her thoughts about how inviting speakers such as Gaines affects campus life, especially for marginalized communities.

I just feel that no certain community should feel as though they are uncomfortable in a space that should be welcome to all people, Kathy said.

Protesters continued to gather until approximately 4:30 p.m., when Turning Point moved in front of the Biobehavioral Health Building.

Once Turning Point and Young Americans relocated, protestors reconvened and chanted trans lives matter and no home for transphobia.

Riley Gaines walked toward the crowd and began her speech while protesters chanted cant swim at Gaines, in reference to her career as an NCAA Division I swimmer.

First and foremost, I think it is important to speak at universities because we need to engage (with) people my age to understand the truth, Gaines said.

Gaines also addressed the protestors chanting, trans lives matter during her speech.

They entirely have the right to protest just as I have the right to stand here and advocate what Im advocating for, Gaines said.

Gaines said she believes the protestors were emotionally driven and there is no science, logic or reason as to what they are advocating for.

Later in the evening, Gaines spoke to a smaller crowd in the Wagner Building and said a year and a half ago, there wouldn't have been any people there to support because they'd be terrified of putting their face to it or whatever that might be.

I think, people, not just female athletes, parents, medical professionals, pastors, even a lot of people are waking up to the injustice of what's happening, Gaines said.

Gaines shared to the crowd this issue was about our privacy and she makes the argument for a woman but a lot of times, people are not willing to accept (it).

But what I'm finding is among our generation, among the general public of our generation, we know this has gone too far, Gaines said. (Im) just trying to encourage and inspire and embolden people to know that they can speak the truth.

MORE NEWS COVERAGE

Penn State Homecoming hosted its Past to Present event in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson

If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.

Read the original here:
Protestors, supporters gather on HUB lawn for Riley Gaines' Free ... - The Daily Collegian