Florida Governor Pledges Assistance Ahead Of Speech By Alt Right Leader

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Saying that "everyone has a right to voice their opinion," Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday signed an executive order pledging state assistance to quell any potential incidents that break out around Thursday's planned speech by Richard Spencer, a leader in the controversial "alt-right" movement that mixes racism, white nationalism and populism. Spencer is slated to speak at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Florida. Previous speeches in Alabama, California, Texas and Virginia have drawn protests and counter-protests, arrests and violence.

“We live in a country where everyone has the right to voice their opinion, however, we have zero tolerance for violence and public safety is always our number one priority," Scott said in a statement. "I have been in constant contact with [Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell] who has requested this executive order to ensure that county and local law enforcement have every needed resource. This executive order is an additional step to ensure that the University of Florida and the entire community is prepared so everyone can stay safe.”

Watch: Florida Governor Declares Emergency Over White Supremacist Event

The executive order activates Florida's mutual aid pack that allows the state to coordinate resources from the state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. Read the Executive Order here.

Scott said he will remain in "constant communication" with state and local law enforcement and university leadership to ensure that every request to the state is quickly granted in the interest of public safety.

Spencer's National Policy Institute, a white nationalist think tank, has drawn regular protests since it moved to Alexandria, Va. just outside Washington, D.C. following President Trump's election.

A graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Spencer led a protest in May against that college town's decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, the same statue that was at the heart of violent protests as white nationalists took to the streets of Charlottesville to protest its removal. Three people were killed in events related to the "Unite the Right" rally, including a counter-protester and two Virginia State Police troopers.

InsideHigherEd.com reported that security at the University of Florida event could cost as much as $500,000 after canceling a previous event involving Spencer.

Patch editor Emily Leamon contributed to this article.

Richard Spencer, a leader in the "alt-right" that mixes racism, white nationalism and populism. Image by David J. Phillip/Associated Press