SPEECH WARS

Ann Coulter Cancels Her Berkeley Speech

“Everyone who should believe in free speech fought against it or ran away.”

Conservative commentator and author Ann Coulter said Wednesday she has canceled her upcoming appearance at the University of California, Berkeley, as she felt planned protests threaten her safety and law-enforcement officials have not done enough to guarantee her protection. “It’s a sad day for free speech,” Coulter told The New York Times. The firebrand pundit had initially said she’d appear, even after the school indicated it could no longer host her on the scheduled date and requested she speak at a later date when there is less likelihood of the type of violent protests sparked by alt-right troll Milo Yiannopoulos’s appearance at the school. The organization sponsoring her appearance, Young America’s Foundation, backed out of the event on Tuesday evening, saying, “Young America’s Foundation will not jeopardize the safety of its staff or students.” As such, Coulter told the Times, “Everyone who should believe in free speech fought against it or ran away.” Additionally, she confirmed to Reuters, “There will be no speech. I looked over my shoulder and my allies had joined the other team.”