A free speech group is threatening legal action after the University of British Columbia cancelled an event with a conservative speaker.
Andy Ngo, the editor-at-large of The Post Millennial, a conservative online publication, had been scheduled by the Free Speech Club to speak at UBC on Jan. 29. But school officials cancelled it because of security concerns.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a conservative legal advocacy group, said in a letter that it will sue if UBC does not reinstate Ngo’s event, accusing officials of bowing to “the heckler’s veto.”
“It is an alarming betrayal of the foundational pillar of higher education – the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression,” the letter stated.
In an email to Black Press media, UBC chief risk officer Ron Holton reiterated the possibility of safety risks, but did not elaborate. He declined to comment on any legal action.
But we're fighting this decision! @JCCFCanada has issued a demand letter to the president of UBC warning that the university will face legal action if it does not rescind the cancellation. Kowtowing to violent extremists will only embolden them. https://t.co/FYwAgIZlvY pic.twitter.com/NoOt3AiZXw
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 2, 2020
The university has come under fire more than once this year for cancelling speeches, including those of Jenn Smith, who has spoken against sexual orientation and gender identity teachings in B.C. schools, and right-wing activists Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern.
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