Riley Gaines U of M speech: Protesters say 'bigotry' isn't welcome, supporters dismiss 'petulant tantrums'
Riley Gaines on why she supports transgender athlete ban
College swimmer Riley Gaines and former Vikings captain Jack Brewer joined FOX 9 All Day to chat about why they support a transgender athlete ban in Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Protesters are opposing what they say is "transphobic ideology" ahead of a speech from conservative activist Riley Gaines, which is set to happen inside Coffman Memorial Union on the University of Minnesota (U of M) Campus.
The protest is set to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday with the speech starting at 6:30 p.m.
This story will be updated when the protest and subsequent speech begins.
Protesters: ‘Transphobic ideology isn’t welcome’
What they're saying:
The protest, organized by the University of Minnesota Students for a Democratic Society (UMNSDS), is aimed at supporting transgender people while denouncing the university's decision to allow Gaines on campus.
A statement posted on the UMNSDS social media said the following about the planned protest while rallying for others to join:
"Turn out to show Riley Gaines and TPUSA that their reactionary, transphobic ideology isn’t welcome here! Shame on UMN for platforming her bigotry while hiding behind 'political neutrality' – TRANSPHOBES GO HOME!"
Turning Point USA: 'We’re used to petulant tantrums'
The other side:
Turning Point USA, a national conservative activist organization that has a chapter on the U of M campus, shared this response to the protest:
"We’re used to petulant tantrums when conservatives exercise our free speech on campus. The event will happen, and they’ll have to deal with it. The school doesn’t belong to them."
University of Minnesota ‘committed to free speech'
Local perspective:
University of Minnesota officials said the event was "organized by a registered student organization, which is independent from the University," adding that Riley Gaines' speech is "not a University-sponsored event."
The U of M released the following statement ahead of the protest:
"The University of Minnesota is committed to free speech and the robust exchange of ideas, which are central to our educational mission. We are also dedicated to supporting all of our registered student organizations and ensuring they have a platform for their voices."
Who is Riley Gaines?
MN trans ban bill: NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines
Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and girls' sports advocate spoke at the Minnesota capitol on Tuesday in support of a vote to prohibit transgender athletes in youth sports.
The backstory:
Riley Gaines is a former 12-time NCAA All-American collegiate swimmer from the University of Kentucky.
She rose to fame as a conservative political commentator after she tied for fifth place with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.
Gaines has called transgender athletes' participation in girls' and women's sports a "War on women" and has supported legislation to ban transgender athletes from doing so.
The Source: This story uses statements shared by Turning Point USA, UMN Students for a Democratic Society, the University of Minnesota and previous FOX 9 reporting.