STORRS, Conn. (AP) - The Latest on arrest of conservative speaker at UConn (all times local):
12:25 a.m.
A conservative commentator who was arrested after he allegedly got involved in an altercation at the University of Connecticut during his speech titled “It’s OK To Be White” is blaming UConn students for being “violent and disruptive.”
Lucian Wintrich took to Twitter early Wednesday morning after he was released from police custody.
He calls it unfortunate that some students “felt the need to be violent and disruptive” during his speech that focused on “how the leftist media is turning Americans against each other.”
Wintrich’s speech was cut short when a young woman in the audience appeared to take paperwork off the lectern he was using and then began to leave.
Cellphone videos posted on Twitter show Wintrich running up to the woman and grabbing her.
He’s charged with breach of peace.
12 a.m.
A conservative commentator has been charged with breach of peace after he allegedly got involved in an altercation at the University of Connecticut during his speech titled “It’s OK To Be White.”
A spokeswoman for UConn says Lucian Wintrich was charged Tuesday night and later released.
Wintrich’s speech was cut short when a young woman in the audience appeared to take paperwork off the lectern he was using and then began to leave.
Cellphone videos posted on Twitter show Wintrich running up to the woman and grabbing her before other audience members get involved.
Wintrich is the White House correspondent for the right-wing blog Gateway Pundit.
UConn also says a student has been charged with breach of peace and criminal mischief for allegedly breaking a window as people were leaving the event.
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11:45 p.m.
The president of the University of Connecticut says the school is “better than this” after a conservative commentator was arrested when he allegedly got involved in an altercation during his speech titled “It’s OK To Be White.”
UConn President Susan Herbst issued a statement late Tuesday calling it “a very disappointing evening.”
Lucian Wintrich’s speech was cut short when a young woman in the audience appeared to take paperwork off the lectern he was using and then began to leave.
Cellphone videos posted on Twitter show Wintrich running up to the girl and grabbing her before other audience members get involved.
Police quickly stepped in and led Wintrich away.
Herbst says “thoughtful, civil discourse should be a hallmark” of universities, and Tuesday evening “fell well short of that.”
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10 p.m.
A conservative commentator has been arrested at the University of Connecticut after a fight broke out during his speech titled “It’s OK To Be White.”
Lucian Wintrich’s speech Tuesday night was cut short when a girl in the audience appeared to take something off the podium he was using and then started to leave.
Cellphone videos posted on Twitter show Wintrich running up to the girl and grabbing her before other audience members get involved.
Police quickly stepped in and led Wintrich away. There was no immediate word on any potential charges.
Wintrich is the White House correspondent for the right-wing blog Gateway Pundit.
UConn’s College Republicans student group sponsored Tuesday night’s event that was repeatedly interrupted by people in the audience booing and chanting before the altercation.
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