Protesters rally uptown against new OU speech policies
On Friday, October 20, 2017 over 100 protesters gathered on the steps of the Athens County Courthouse to protest Ohio University's new policies, which they believe infringe on student's first amendment rights.
Following speeches from professors, community members and students, the protesters led a march across campus. The march ended on College Green.
Shortly before the protest began, a counter protester wearing a Donald Trump T-shirt stood across the street from protesters holding a sign with the slogan, "commie lives don't matter." The counter-protester remained across the street for most of the protest, until he left, returned in a car and began honking his horn during speeches.
Athens police chief, Tom Pyle, approached the counter-protester in his car and instructed him to stop interfering with the protest.
Ohio University provided a feedback period for the controversial speech policies that prompted the protest. Following the end of the feedback period, President Duane Nellis, announced in a letter to students and faculty that a Presidential Policy Advisory Group was tasked with reviewing the speech policy.
The future of the policy is unknown to students, staff, or faculty.
Following speeches from professors, community members and students, the protesters led a march across campus. The march ended on College Green.
Shortly before the protest began, a counter protester wearing a Donald Trump T-shirt stood across the street from protesters holding a sign with the slogan, "commie lives don't matter." The counter-protester remained across the street for most of the protest, until he left, returned in a car and began honking his horn during speeches.
Athens police chief, Tom Pyle, approached the counter-protester in his car and instructed him to stop interfering with the protest.
Ohio University provided a feedback period for the controversial speech policies that prompted the protest. Following the end of the feedback period, President Duane Nellis, announced in a letter to students and faculty that a Presidential Policy Advisory Group was tasked with reviewing the speech policy.
The future of the policy is unknown to students, staff, or faculty.