Washburn students protesting conservative speaker on campus, talking about transgender recognition

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Those in favor of transgender recognition, and those opposed, shared their views on Washburn’s campus Thursday night.

Michael Knowles writes for the conservative media company “The Daily Wire.” He spoke at Washburn University Thursday with his speech titled, “Banning Transgenderism.” He said society should reject the idea.

“I hope we learn or re-learn basic facts about reality and human nature. If that is too much for anyone or president Farley, I hope that at least we will, conservatives will not be cow-touted into silence and submission to the ridiculous ideological fantasies of the radical left.”

Knowles was referring to an email from Washburn President Dr. Jerry Farley sent earlier this week to everyone on campus.

“While I am strongly in the support of first amendment rights, I am disappointed when those rights are used to make others feel unwelcome and even unsafe in our community,” Dr. Farley wrote. “While we support the right to speak freely, Washburn University does not condone the hate and misinformation spread by the speaker and his supporters.”

Knowles clapped back at the comments.

“This is something parents might want to take into consideration when they’re thinking about signing that tuition check what sort f beliefs the leadership at the university has. If the president of the university does not believe that men and women are different would wonder what’s being taught in the classroom,” he said.

Three students countered the message by organizing a rally beforehand. They started by creating a group message on the app, “Group Me,” that grew to more than 130 people being in it as of Thursday afternoon. Thursday is Trans Visibility Day.

Co-Organizer of the “Keep Our Students Safe” Rally Sierra Jeter said, “It’s that sort of conversation that is targeting them and the title of “Ending Transgenderism” is ending the groups of people on campus that I love which is what I have a problem with.”

Chairman of Washburn College Republicans Claudia Fury asked the crowd to remain respectful or they’d be escorted out by police.

Jeter said her group of followers want respect as well.

“I don’t think he’ll change his ideas but I encourage him to realize that the people that he is targeting with his conversation are dangerous,” said Jeter.

About 400 people attended the speech in person. More than 1,000 registered online to get a ticket, but it was a first-come-first-serve event. It was also streamed on Young America’s Foundation Youtube and Facebook.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A protest called “Keep Our Students Safe” is scheduled to show opposition to a conservative speaker set to speak Thursday night.

The protest will start at 4:30 p.m. at the campus union east lawn.

Michael Knowles, a writer for “The Daily Wire,” host of a podcast with Senator Ted Cruz, and the author is set to speak to students about “Banning Transgenderism” from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Washburn University Memorial Union - Room A/B Auditorium.

Students are speaking out against Knowles’ speech, “Banning Transgenderism” hosted by the Washburn University College Republicans organization.

Thursday is also International Trans Visibility Day.

Washburn President Dr. Jerry Farley said earlier this week that he promotes free speech on campus but condemns Knowles for his history of spreading hate and misinformation.

“While I am strongly in the support of first amendment rights, I am disappointed when those rights are used to make others feel unwelcome and even unsafe in our community,” Dr. Farley wrote. “While we support the right to speak freely, Washburn University does not condone the hate and misinformation spread by the speaker and his supporters.”

The foundation said Farley is alienating and intimidating conservative students.

“Every conservative student has now been “marginalized” by Farley’s disgusting email. Intimidation of conservative students by tyrannical administrators should not be tolerated on any campus, let alone a public university that alleges to protect first amendment rights.”

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