A group of student protesters have been condemned after they attempted to interrup a panel discussion on free speech and civil liberties being held at Yale University. The seminar was hosted by the Yale Federalist Society and had both progressive and conservative speakers. As Yale Professor Kate Stith introduced Kristen Waggoner from the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom, students stood up and began protesting, stopping the forum from continuing. The students jeered when Yale law professor Kate Stith urged the protesters to “grow up” and stop interrupting the debate.
While the students eventually left, witnesses said they congregated outside the lecture hall and stamped their feet in order to drown out the rest of the seminar. The panelist had to be escorted out by police, with conservative lawyer Kristen Waggoner claiming she was concerned for her safety.
The fact that this seminar was intended to show that Liberals and Conservatives can have a civil conversation gives me hope. The fact that these students reject this civility gives me concern.