Heightened Security Expected for Next UConn Conservative Speech

STORRS, CT — A speech scheduled for next week at the University of Connecticut will feature heightened security and be restricted to faculty and students, school officials said on Thursday.

On Jan. 24, the UConn College Republicans are scheduled to host Ben Shapiro, a conservative political commentator, columnist, author, radio talk show host, and lawyer.

The event is slated to begin at 7 p.m. in UConn's Rome Ballroom.

Police will be on hand and bags will be checked, UConn officials said. Protesters will be restricted to a designated area, officials said.

According to a UConn College Republicans Facebook post, A valid University ID will be required and only faculty and students will be admitted through the main doors. Friends of the College Republicans or College Republican alumni are being asked to filter inquiries through the organization.

The heightened security comes in the heels of a Nov. 28 brawl during a speech by Lucian Wintrich, a political artist and commentator and the White House correspondent for The Gateway Pundit.

The Nov. 28 speech, sponsored by the campus Republicans, was entitled, "It's Okay to be White." It was interrupted by a woman stealing her noted and Wintrich following her into the crowd. A brawl broke out during the confusion.

Photo Courtesy of UConn Campus Republicans