Ann Coulter went home
UOttawa talk cancelled after protesters raise safety concerns
A controversial event at the University of Ottawa featuring right-wing U.S. pundit Ann Coulter was cancelled due to apparent safety concerns, after 200 students gathered in protest outside.
Lawyer and political activist Ezra Levant, who was slated to speak before Coulter, broke the news to the half-filled auditorium in Marion Hall, after chaos at the registration table and a pulled fire alarm caused delays. “The police and the security have advised that it would be physically dangerous for Ann Coulter to proceed with this event and for others to come in,” Levant said.
Controversy has stemmed from Coulter’s writing, which some critics say promotes hate.
In one prominent column she wrote for the nationalreview.com after September 11, Coulter said: “We know who the homicidal maniacs are. They are the ones cheering and dancing right now. We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.”
Coulter was scheduled to speak at the Ottawa campus as part of a three-stop Canadian tour that started at the University of Western Ontario on Monday and ends at the University of Calgary on Thursday. The events were organized by the International Free Press Society in partnership with student Conservative groups on each campus.
Students in Ottawa lined up more than an hour before the event was set to start and the entrance to the auditorium quickly filled as the crowd attempted to push and bargain their way past the volunteers who were trying to verify who had registered in advance.
According to volunteers, only those on their lists who had confirmed registration would be let into the auditorium.
Inside, Levant cited the letter sent to Coulter by the University of Ottawa vice-president academic and provost Francois Houle, that he said concealed a “veiled threat” and was the source of controversy leading up to Coulter’s arrival in Canada.
In his letter, of which a copy was obtained by the National Post, Houle urged Coulter to act with “restraint” and warned her Canadian laws for freedom of speech differ from those in the United States. He advised that before arriving at the University of Ottawa campus Coulter should “educate [her]self as to what is acceptable in Canada” and to “weigh [her] words with respect and civility in mind.”
That message was echoed by the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, who Levant said, took their cue from the administration. The SFUO opposed Coulter’s arrival on campus, and Levant said ripped down posters advertising the event.
“Francois Houle got his wish,” Levant said. “He telegraphed to the community that the University of Ottawa is not a place for free debate like Western Ontario.” Levant’s speech was met by shouts of “Shame!” and “We want Ann!” from the raucous crowd.
Bjorn Larsen, the president of the International Free Press Society, the group who organized Coulter’s speaking tour, expressed his disappointment at having to cancel the event. “I promise you that we will try to bring Ann Coulter back,” Larsen said, which received loud applause from the audience, but was drowned out by protesters in the back who chanted “Ann go home!”
“It is an embarrassing day for the University of Ottawa and their student body,” Levant said. But protesters outside were happy to see the event cancelled. Levant said there were “2,000 intimidating protesters pressing against police,” but officers confirmed there was closer to 200 demonstrators.
Those who had gathered broke out in chants of: “Whose campus? Our campus!” after the event was cancelled, as police barred the way to the front doors of the building. A few pro-Coulter supporters came around to the front of the building and engaged in impromptu and heated debate with the protesters.
One student held a sign that read: “Free speech stops at hate speech.”
“We came together because we’re angry about the fact that Ann Coulter’s views risked being exposed on our campus,” said University of Ottawa student Mike Fancie. “The precedent that Ann Coulter set by publicly . . . insulting a Muslim student at the University of Western last night shows that she had no intention of being civil and no intention of avoiding attacks on minorities last night.”
During her speech to a crowd of 800 at the University of Western Ontario Monday night, Coulter told Muslim student Fatima Al-Dhaher to “take a camel” as an alternative to flying, the National Post reported. Coulter has said previously that Muslims should be banned from airplanes and instead use “flying carpets.” Al-Dhaher had asked Coulter how she was expected to travel, since she didn’t own a flying carpet.
Coulter also told the UWO crowd that the University of Ottawa provost’s letter has made her a victim of “hate crime” and that she would be taking it up with the Human Rights Commission.
SFUO president Seamus Wolfe said earlier in the day that he thought the provost’s letter to Coulter was “reasonable.” Wolfe said he had heard from a number of students over the past few days who were outraged about Coulter’s arrival at the university.
“Anyone that consistently promotes hatred of violence towards any individual or group of people should not be permitted to use a public institution, like a university, as a soapbox for that hatred and promotion of violence,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe was outside the building after the announcement that the event was cancelled. “I’m very happy that the students have spoken loud and clear, and that hate speech is not allowed at the University of Ottawa,” he said.
Coulter has appeared as a political and legal commentator on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.
This story has been updated.
In this regard,what are Canada’s laws that are so different from those of the States?
[...] From Macleans, “We came together because we’re angry about the fact that Ann Coulter’s views risked being [...]
Well I’m sure MzCoulter will get a warm welcome from her kindred spirits in Alberta. Hey maybe they’ll burn a few crosses and drag out the Nazi gear to make her feel at home. Free speech – what a concept. Seems it’s only good when it works in her favour. Vile woman.
Those concerned about censorship may not have been aware of the Apartheid Week activities on Canadian campuses, where posters are not allowed on campuses, taken off of professor’s doors, etc. because, it is claimed, they can promote hatred. Ann Coulter promotes hatred directly, and her discussion violates all rules of debate as well (there is no substance). Many speakers are stopped at our borders, yet her talk is just as or more violent than any of these. Those who are arguing that free speech has been violated…glad you’ve finally noticed that there might be a problem, and she even made it across the border. I hope your newly awakened concern is not limited to the rights of white conservative racist speakers.
The cancellation of Ann Coulter’s speech alst night ath the University of Ottawa really makes canada look stupid. I am emabarrassed as a Canadian for the actions of the students.
Are we, as canadians, so so thin skinned, so fragile that, so easily manipulated that we are afraid to allow someone with differing views speak in public? The University of Ottawa should be ashamed of itself for treating a guest speaker in such a fashion and fo making the rest of us Canadians look “bush league” to the rest of the world.
Why didn’t Coulter hold this neo con speech on private property, complete with pigs for their feet to rest on.
trim38: Under the veil of threat, your abstinent, christian, conservative decided to curtail and run. Next time research before you open your mouth, and you too would run from a Canadian with a flag and a big cheesy grin when we sing “Oh, Canada. Our true North strong and free….”
Matt, don’t you have any Muslims friends? Writing a book isn’t a definite stance on intelligence, she probably had many edits from a lot of editors. No one I know in Canada read her book. I can’t wait for someone to thwap you for rude commentary like yours, should you dare visit a Canadian city, but save your breath and vote for the best liars you can muster.
Check your fact (or lack of facts) on this paragraph, she mentions flying carpets in an interview after the 7 Muslims were asked to leave a plane for a dialog they having that was frightening other passengers and they sued. You have a lack of context and your time line is flawed:
“During her speech to a crowd of 800 at the University of Western Ontario Monday night, Coulter told Muslim student Fatima Al-Dhaher to “take a camel” as an alternative to flying, the National Post reported. Coulter had told the crowd that Muslims should be banned from airplanes and instead use “flying carpets.” Coulter used the line to respond to Al-Dhaher’s question of how she was expected to travel, since she didn’t own a flying carpet.”
No free speech in Canada? I had no idea. Is this reflective on Canada as a whole or just a handful of repressive assholes that disagree with the speaker’s agenda?
Pure and simple. Ann bowed down to poor advice. She MADE the choice not to appear. For someone who talks tough on non-Christians/Jews and those who dont hold onto “American conservative” values; it just shows she is all mouth and no trousers.
Ann has always portrayed herself as the strong woman who would never hide from those with opposing views; or would allow those with opposing views to stop her from speaking…….
Ann is no victim. Her playing the hate crime card is laughable. Common on. A so-called ultra conservative hiding behind so called ultra leftism. Regardless she still walks away a winner. More books sell and more lemmings empathize with her little plight. Arrrrrgh. Such is Life.
Personally I may not agree with everything that she has to say. But she should have still spoken on the night. It would have be entertaining to see her speak in person.
@Ryan S
The story has been edited. Thanks.
Offensive speech is not hate speech, but radicals’ only defense is intimidation, violence, and rhetoric. Shame on the SFUO for violating Charter rights and promoting violence. Coulter is much like Stern, they get paid to shock people with their comments. Should I get angry and violent towards VANOC for portraying me as a canoe paddling lumberjack? Grow up!
@C. James
Shame on you for criticizing Coulter for her comments and turning around and making your own “hateful” comments about Albertans. You’re nothing more than another radical that want’s everyone to march to your beat.
Congratulations to the students at UofO who protested the appearance of Ann Coulter.
This American admires the students who sent hate speech packing to the next KKK meeting.
@Roger Lakins
“College students could certainly better use that money to hire a real comedian or a real political commentator.”
The event was free for students, and Coulter’s remuneration was not coming from the school or the students.
Too bad all the liberal thumb suckers and bed wetters can’t stand a little debate. It is the left who incessantly wants to shut down free speech. I guess there is a huge difference in Canadian ideas on freedom and the USA. I’ll take ours any day.
These jejune protesters against free speech are intellectually morons that have no regard for freedom nor do they have the ability to hear opposing views and respond with reason. Screaming out others opinions only shows you as cowards unable to use your tunnel visioned minds for the pursuit of truth.
Selective restraints by such as these children proves only that they have no capacity to think beyond their leftist leanings, and no respect for the values for which men and women have died.
My hope is that some at least will grow a set of balls and open both their minds and their ears to other positions that should make anyone with half a brain happy to have something to think about beyond their little bitty range of knowledge.
It is ironic when right-wingers talk about free speech because they normally attempt to deny that right to anyone not in agreement with their hate-founded philosophy. What happened to Ann Coulter in this instance is an example of reaping what one sews, and the students who aided in denying her the opportunity to spew her prejudice-filled bile are to be commended. Ann Coulter has never done, written, or said anything to justify her current, freak-show celebrity status. Granted, one attends university in order to build perspective, and must be able to discern the nutbags (e.g., Coulter) from those who actually contribute to building a valid perspective. One must, however, be rather deficient in character not to realize Coulter’s only contribution to building perspective is the glaring invalidity of her own, a truth which will not become apparent to Coulter until God, in his infinite wisdom, consigns her to the farthest reaches of Hell.
Lefties combat hate with hate and suppress Charter rights with violence. You do not have to agree with Ann Coulter’s view points in order to recognize that freedom of speech and security of the person were violated by those who claim to speak for justice. Although I think that Coulter is nothing more than an entertainer and can’t really be bothered by what she has to say, I am worried at all the left wing radicals that are increasingly showing their hatred through violence and bigotry, and would be so eager to suppress Charter rights. Those who violently opposed her are equally hate mongers and biggots.
So she made camel jokes, have you never told a newfie joke or heard reference to Canadians being canoe paddling lumberjacks? VANOC is the perfect example, I am offended by their implication (closing ceremonies)but I suck it up and move on, I don’t rally my radical friends and incite violence to uphold my “right to not be offended.
It sets a bad precedant for both not letting Galloway and Barghouti into the country to speak to their followers to have her speech cancelled. By only having speakers who the majority of society wishes to hear from or who find favour with the ruling party at the time is in effect a step down the road to totalitarianism. The problem with speech codes is that if at some point in someone’s past they state something critical of this or that protected group it in effect means that they can be permanently prevented from writing or speaking in the future despite potentially having something critical to say to the society doing the censorship and thus cutting off that information. That Ann Coulter is largely spewing BS is in reality a red herring and is besides the point of the far greater issue. Picking winners and losers based upon how they line up with the prevailing attitudes of the time and thus allowing only them a platform to speak makes a loser of the receiving society because the whole point of permitting free speech is to allow established opinions to be challenged even if it means feathers get ruffled. There is of course the potential for great anger but where are the lines demarcating acceptable speech to be drawn and more crucially by who. Assuming it’s government and or the courts they all largely come from the upper and upper middle classes and thus reflect their values and have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo ie: their relative position in the overall scheme of things. A judge threw out Peggy Ann Sheppard’s claim that Mcgill had permitted senator Kolber’s son or nephew into Mcgill despite lacking the grades. This was motiviated (not broadcasted) by the potential for this to promote hate speech by critics of Jewish people and the establishment in general as this is one of the top universities in Canada and could severely erode confidence in the system as a whole and possibly lead to civil disobedience. The judge was in effect a member of the establishment as she had to have either attended the U Of MTl or Mcgill to be a judge in Quebec so there was a conflict of interest in terms of impartiallity by judging one of the two means of becoming a judge thus calling into question her very status. A vitally important issue as to who gets access to which programs at university was thrown out over restriction of free speech rights and the fears of what this inconvenient truth would mean to society at large. Is restriction of free speech the very same type of activity that occurs in any totalitarian regime left or right once they assume power ? The Galloway and Barghouti issues are more severe however as they had critical information to relay and because of past “issues” they are now no longer able to speak at all as well as being out of favour with the ruling party. Keep in mind that Tommy Douglas was questioning the established order of his day. Would a speech code have benefitted Canada when socialized medical care, workers compensation, pension benefits etc…had yet to be commonly held values and the established order were claiming that Tommy Douglas et al were convinced that he was a dangerous communist agitator or radical. They spied on him and criticised him but he was still able to give speeches and travel around and over time his values became Canada’s values. Canada as a whole NOW cherishes health care but the majority of the population in the 40′s 50′s and 60′s had yet to be convinced.
This is disgusting. I can’t believe that my tax dollars go to finance this sorry excuse for a university. Free speech is an ancient, Anglo-Saxon concept (The Yanks didn’t invent it) and these vile trotskyites deserve to be removed from Campus. Even if Adolf Hitler came to speak at a Canadian University, no-one should be able to block his lecture like this. Shame on Canada! Shame on U of Ottawa.
It sets a bad precedant for both not letting Galloway and Barghouti into the country to speak to their followers and to have her speech cancelled. << This posted because I had put the and in brackets and Macleans removed it making me look like I made a sentence structure error.
[...] – Anne Coulter sent packing by University of Ottowa students protesting her hate speech. Police and University security decided [...]
Coulter wins again!
Intellectually challenged students and their ilk prefer to have everyone march in lock step to political correctness propaganda rather than hear the truth from individuals such as Ann Coulter. It’s disgraceful that fascist scum of their kind choose not to allow ‘free speech’ but because of their inability to debate the issues due to their lack of intelligence would rather deny those like Ann with higher intellect. They would rather spew their hatred and make false claims against opponents of their viewpoints because they don’t think and act like the mindless fools they are. It’s quite apparent that those who continue these Marxist tactics are not contributors to society, but rather the leaches upon it where hard working citizens must pay for their ineptitude with the expanded welfare state.
Dear University students,
The free exchange of ideas–especially provocative ones–is one of the most basic tenets of higher education. Those of you who pulled fire alarms, threatened violence or otherwise did more than exercise your own right to free speech in opposition to Coulter, please leave the university until you’ve figured this out.
All you’ve done is buy masses of publicity for this idiot and made your school look like a kindergarten.
Ann Coulter’s hate-speech should not be protected because it’s mostly made up, just to get on TV or in the papers for another 5 minutes. If Coulter went a year without being in the media she’d kill herself. She’s a 5-year-old, holding her dress up over her head and crying “Daddy, please love me” every time she opens her mouth. The fact that she laughs after everything she says is an indication that it’s all made up and she is amused at the response, that people are stupid enough to think she means it. Like Beck/Hannity/O’Reilly etc., it’s all for ratings. No one with an IQ higher than their age could possibly believe the professional-wrestling crap they spit out. And like most “reality TV”, it’s all fake.
Anne Coulter exemplifies why so many citizens of this world despise the United States our beloved neighbour. As a young Canadian I am proud that her over dramatic political drivle was not permitted by exemplification of the same law that grants her the right to say what she does (free speech). Goodbye Anne Coulter and if you want to come back please stop at my house first so I can do the world a favor.
This is shameful. The only concept these kids have of free speech is any speech which is not in disagreement with them. If they do not like what Coulter has to say or disagree with it they are free to do so. To not allow her to speak is ridiculous!! Shameful. South of the border not so long ago they allowed Ahmedinejad to speak. America trumps Canada when it comes to speech.
Good for them! My father is Canadian and they are a decent people. I wish Americans had the same amount of courage.
If what Ann Coulter says is so ditasteful to people they should ignore it. To deny others the right to hear her speak is censorship. Trying to suppress an opposing view point does not kill it.
As a conservative I am truly dismayed at Ezra Levant for bringing her to Canada. This one act, for me, negates the respect I held for him.
Ann Coulter is vapid, anti-intellectual, and is more of a performer than social critic. She has the right to speak as she wishes, but that’s not my beef. What does she offer of value? Was she brought here to test freedom of speech, or to engage us in debate? Others can do this more intelligently. She has nothing to offer the conservative movement but her crass mouth. I can only imagine how much she was paid for these appearances. Shame on you, Levant. I expected better from you.
tobias – would you let Hitler speak without restriction?
I agree with you on many points Tony. I think Ann Coulter is mainly an attention getter. I think many of the things she says are blown out of proportion because she likes the shock value and she is not serious. But nonetheless, what difference does it make. People are saying things like her speech is not welcome in Canada. Obviously it was welcome to the people who wanted to go see her in Ottawa. But leftists think it is their right to decide what is welcome for everyone. I am not a fan of Coulter, but what I am a fan of is not the issue here. This woman should have a right to speak. The beauty of free speech is that people can also make their own counter arguments against it. That is open discussion. Controlling who we are allowed to hear is not.
Ann Coulter is not Hitler.
But yes Hitler should and does have the right to speak. Even if you don’t let him speak people have the ability to know long after his death what view Hitler promoted. And they have the ability to reason and choose between what is right and what is wrong. If you think that banning Mein Kampf will stop people from hating you are wrong.
You have to allow people to speak their minds in order to know “what is on their minds”. If you do not you cannot argue it. You cannot correct it. You cannot bring things out in the open to discuss which points are true and which points are not. It is my personal belief that the current trend we see in Canada of stifling and even suing people for speech which could remotely be interpreted as hateful will only lead to a growth in hatred. If you stifle it too long it will only build up more potential energy, like a loaded spring.
Ann Coulter books are available in bookstores in Canada. I know people who read them, people who are both liberal and conservative and I have yet to see them influenced by her writings into horrific acts of violence. They don’t even cause as much nonsense as the protestors at Ottawa did when they decided they had the right to determine who people are allowed to listen to.
[...] plutôt, même. Par exemple, la veille, à l’Université de Western Ontario, elle a eu cette marque d’humour caustique un peu douteux en suggérant à une jeune femme musulmane de prendre un chameau plutôt que l’avion. « C’tait [...]
Will somebody just please tell this person to shut up and go home? Maybe we could get her added to a no-fly list so we wouldn’t have to put up with her.
I guess Ms. Coulter got more publicity by not going than she ever could have by speaking at U of O.
I don’t agree with a lot of what she says, but if she really is as dumb and backward as so many people think she is, let her speak. I can’t help but think of that classic Lincoln quote which says that it’s better for one to remain silent and appear dumb than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt (not the exact quote, but idea is there).
It was Coulter’s chance to open her mouth (in Ottawa, anyway) but the students spoke first. Who looks dumb now? If the [protesting] students were smart, they would have waited to tear her apart in an open debate.
All of that said, I think Coulter’s plans to take Houle’s letter as a human rights violation is a step too far. As far as I know, the letter simply said to use some discretion (which she doesn’t have, I guess) but it seems to have spun out of proportion.
As an American, I can tell you what you already know, that by canceling the event, you did not miss ANYTHING of any redeeming social value. If you want to have an actual exchange of ideas or a debate, invite people who are intellectually capable of doing so. Ann Coulter seeks only to offend and shock people. She’s an embarassment to the US
The things is who gets to decide whether her speech is of value to anyone or not. People who wanted to attend the event could decide that for themselves without the infantile protestors deciding for them. Those who don’t like what Ann Coulter has to say can either stay home, or attend and disagree with what she says. Why do they have to take away the opportunity for those who want to hear her for themselves? That’s controlling behaviour. And it is more dangerous than Ann Coulter.
[...] Macleans [...]
I’m sure if Ann asked me to push her off a ledge while she sat on a carpet I’d be willing to see if she too could suddenly fly…
If only Canadians could be like their counterparts in America…
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2010/03/foreign-relations-ann-coulter-is-notever-wanted-in-canada/
Looks like the facists at the u of ottawa, got their way. What a joke. I wonder what will happen the next time a radical islamist, homosexual activist, man hating feminist or anti Christian speaker is invited to speak.
Thats a dumb question as we already no they will be welcomed with open arms.
Extreme Israel hater Omar Barghouti spoke there and that’s ok. Bet he didn’t get a letter threatening him with criminal charges from the fascists at U of O.
But the left like to hate. People who were there said that the protesters were hurling the usual anti christian insults, but it must be nice to spew venom then say that because you hate Israel for having Apartheid [whereas they love Canada's.] but knowing all your left wing hate makes you “Tolerant”,
Bet they hate Albertans, farmers, white males, too.
But that hates ok at the U of O.
[...] speech by Ann Coulter, the outspoken conservative political pundit, at Ottowa University was cancelled yesterday after officials deemed conditions unsafe for the right-wing [...]
After watching the lynch mob at University of Ottawa it occured to me that a belief of mind was not accurate. I used to think that Dudley Doright from the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show was an awful caricuture of Canadians. Now I realize it was an accurate portrayal of Canadians along with Newfies clubbing baby Coulters oh I meant seals.
What the Ottawa mob managed to do is make Coulter a victim and not just a sixth page news piece in the Toronto Star saying that AnnCoulter had a tiny audience at her talk.
[...] | But news of her nixing was only announced moments before Coulter was expected to take the stage, and nothing gets protesters angrier than not [...]
Having read many of these rambling raving,I think they should be denied the right to be published here. Only the ones I agree with should be posted in future.
The others are by idiots that need to be considered as hate speech.