Fri Feb 28 17:20:00 UTC 2025: ## FSU NAACP Condemns Charlie Kirk’s Campus Visit Amidst Free Speech Debate
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The upcoming visit of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk to Florida State University (FSU) has sparked a fierce debate over free speech and the university’s role in fostering an inclusive environment. The FSU chapter of the NAACP issued a statement Tuesday strongly condemning Kirk’s appearance, citing his history of “racist, homophobic, and transphobic rhetoric” as creating a hostile environment for marginalized students.
Chapter President Alysha Dorcely argued that Kirk’s presence contradicts FSU’s stated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The NAACP statement also criticized FSU’s history of hosting controversial speakers while suppressing progressive student activism.
This condemnation was swiftly countered by Evan Power, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, who accused the NAACP of “fear-mongering” and attempting to suppress free speech. He urged FSU to continue embracing diverse viewpoints.
Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, is scheduled to speak on Friday as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” While FSU maintains that its open campus policy protects speakers’ First Amendment rights, and that it doesn’t endorse specific viewpoints, the NAACP argues that the university is enabling the normalization of hate speech. The group points to past instances where FSU provided financial support to conservative commentators. However, the university clarified that no university funds were used for Kirk’s current visit, as it’s being organized by the student group Turning Point USA.
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing debates surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Florida, which have faced significant challenges under Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration and recent executive orders from President Trump. This event follows a similar visit by Kirk to the University of Florida on Thursday. The FSU NAACP chapter’s opposition highlights the complex tensions between free speech principles and the creation of a welcoming and inclusive campus climate.
First Piper 