Michigan State denies request from white supremacist group to rent space on campus
‘While we remain firm in our commitment to freedom of expression, our first obligation is to the safety and security of our students and our community’
Thursday afternoon after a meeting with law officials, a statement was released by the university stating the NPI’s request to rent space from the university has been denied.
Earlier this week it was reported that The National Policy Institute, a known white supremacist group, requested to rent space on Michigan State’s campus. ASMSU President Lorenzo Santavicca and University President Lou Anna K Simon released statements regarding the situation.
Originially, Simon and Santavicca took opposing views on the matter, with Lorenzo stating that hate isn’t welcome on MSU campus, while President Simon saying the University has an obligation to consider the NPI’s request because of free speech, but she has since changed her mind.
The updated statement from President Simon reads, “This decision was made due to significant concerns about public safety in the wake of the tragic violence in Charlottesville last weekend. While we remain firm in our commitment to freedom of expression, our first obligation is to the safety and security of our students and out community”.
This story will be updated as it develops