Following last semester’s standing-room-only YAF campus lecture and a state lawmaker’s subsequent attempt to convince university administrators to ban him from campus, Matt Walsh announced Wednesday evening that he intends to return to New Mexico State University (NMSU) this semester for round two.
“Unfortunately for these petty tyrants, NMSU is a public university and they have no authority to prevent me from speaking there,” Walsh wrote on X. “So now, I want to go back to NMSU and give another speech just to spite these ridiculous cry bullies,” his post continued.
Recognizing that the NMSU Young Americans for Freedom chapter might have an even more difficult time getting funding from the school now that there’s pressure from elected officials, Walsh said he will take the “tears of these pathetic weaklings who cry ‘hate speech’ because they can’t make a real argument” in lieu of an honorarium.
In an August letter sent by Senator Carrie Hamblen and signed by an additional eight state, county, and municipal lawmakers, the officials requested “a serious conversation about the rationale for allowing this type of event that would knowingly frighten and harm part of the student population, learn who in the administration supported this, and what policies or actions will be taken in the future to prevent further emotional and psychological damage to some of the most vulnerable in [NMSU’s] student population.”
As a state institution that is obligated to uphold the First Amendment, there are no possible strategies that NMSU can legally take to prohibit future speeches by Walsh or any other conservative speaker.
“We can’t wait to have Matt back on campus!” Jewel Navarette, NMSU YAF chairwoman, told the New Guard.
Keep an eye on YAF’s events page for the latest on this campus lecture and more!
