Ben Shapiro event draws protesters, supporters to UF

Ben Shapiro speaking on stage in the UF Curtis M. Phillips Center on Wednesday.
Ben Shapiro speaking on stage in the UF Curtis M. Phillips Center on Wednesday.
Photo by Tim Rodriquez

Conservative commentor Ben Shapiro drew crowds both inside and outside the Curtis M. Phillips Center on Wednesday.

Both supporters and protesters were on hand as Shapiro spoke about Israel’s war against Hamas following the terror group’s Oct. 7 attack on the country. He then took questions from the audience.

“Hamas is evil and those who support them hate Jews,” Shapiro, who is Jewish, said in a WCJB video clip. “This should be obvious to everyone on earth. Unfortunately, it is not obvious and it’s particularly not obvious in America’s college campuses.”

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Shapiro called the violence against Israel the “single worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust,” according to WUFT, adding that “the goal of Hamas is clear – genocide against the Jews. Not just genocide against Jews in Israel, genocide against Jews everywhere.’”

According to The Daily Wire website, Shapiro is the co-founder of the conservative media company and is the host of “The Ben Shapiro Show.” He has also authored several New York Times #1 Bestseller non-fiction books that include “How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps” and “The People vs. Barack Obama: The Criminal Case against the Obama Administration.”  

The University of Florida student group Young Americans for Freedom paid for Shapiro’s appearance. It was the first time Shapiro had appeared at the University of Florida since 2017.

Audience members ask Ben Shapiro questions during a Q&A segment on Wednesday in the Curtis M. Phillips Center.
Photo by Tim Rodriquez Audience members ask Ben Shapiro questions during a Q&A segment on Wednesday in the Curtis M. Phillips Center.
A crowd of Ben Shapiro supporters outside the Curtis M. Phillips Center in Gainesville on Wednesday.
Photo by Tim Rodriquez A crowd of Ben Shapiro supporters outside the Curtis M. Phillips Center in Gainesville on Wednesday.
Police guarding the outside of the Phillips Center after Ben Shapiro his talk on Wednesday.
Photo by Tim Rodriquez Police guarding the outside of the Phillips Center after Ben Shapiro his talk on Wednesday.
Protester being escorted out of the Phillips Center auditorium by police.
Photo by Tim Rodriquez Protester being escorted out of the Phillips Center auditorium by police.

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Mike

Very interesting! Maybe our colleges and universities are going to return to the idea of presenting and listening to many sides of events instead of only one. That’s a much better method of providing an education instead of an indoctrination.

Part of growing is actually learning something while you get an education.

Josh

Why must everyone pick a side? Is it ok to not have a side? Yes it is, peoples opinions are sh$@. Come and cancel me now.