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Protests greet white nationalist Richard Spencer in Gainesville

Posted at 4:46 PM, Oct 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-19 20:22:29-04

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- For the most part, it's been a peaceful day in Gainesville as many showed up to protest a speech by white nationalist Richard Spencer.

RELATED: Armed man with press pass arrested before Gainesville speech

There was a huge police presence as the university spent upwards of a half-million dollars on security.

Spencer had a news conference and then spoke to a crowd that included many who were vocally opposed to what he had to say.

Some of the students who protested Spencer's visit chanted "no Nazis here." They said they wanted their ideas, their diversity, their solidarity to be the message of the day.

There was a moment of tension when a man wearing a shirt with swastikas on it walked outside and was surrounded. He did not say a word and a reporter from a Tampa station said he was punched at least once.

It was the most contentious moment of a, so far, largely peaceful afternoon.

 

 

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