Security and Tensions Are High Ahead of Richard Spencer's Speech at UF

Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for the event.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Oct 19, 2017

Tensions are high on campus as police, federal agencies, campus police and students brace for Richard Spencer's speech at the University of Florida Thursday.

In the wake of the deadly protests and counter protests in Charlottesville, Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for the event, which is to be held in the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

This is the first time Scott has declared a state of emergency for an event and explained the motion by saying the declaration frees up additional state, county and local resources.

The university is also increasing security by purchasing over a mile's worth of steel barricades to cordon off the perimeter of the event and to keep protesters and counter protesters away from each other. The school estimates that it will spent nearly $600,000 on security for Spencer's planned speech. Spencer's National Policy Institute is paying $10,564 to rent the space.

The school has calling in hundreds of law enforcement officers from federal, state, county and city sources. Streets will be blocked off and movement around campus will be controlled.

Police will help to monitor the events as they unfold from rooftop surveillance cameras that were installed in the days leading up to the event.