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Ian Haworth: Woke SUNY Albany student protestors destroy Bible while shutting down conservative speaker

Ian Haworth's event, hosted by TPUSA and the College Republicans, was eventually moved to another location with a police presence all around

ALBANY, NEW YORK: A group of the State University of New York at Albany shut down conservative speaker Ian Haworth to prevent his talk on ‘Free Speech on Campus’ on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The group shouted slogans like, "This is what free speech looks like," "Trans rights are human rights," "F**k you, fascists” and “Ian sucks.”

Describing the details, Haworth wrote in a tweet, "Last night, I was at the University of Albany to speak with @TPUSA. My argument: free speech is being destroyed on college campuses. And like clockwork, some deranged protesters showed up and used the heckler's veto to try and shut down the event." He further wrote, "When the chapter tried to settle the protesters down so we could start the event, they responded with 'f**k you @TPUSA.' The tolerant left, ladies and gentlemen." One protestor, according to another tweet in the thread, even destroyed an attendee's Bible for "no reason whatsoever." 

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Haworth added, "Things started to get REAL weird when a conga line formed. Not one person seemed concerned that this is a traditional Cuban carnival dance, and is therefore an act of cultural appropriation."

'Freedom of speech is under attack on campus'

Haworth's event, hosted by TPUSA and the College Republicans, was eventually moved to another location with a police presence surrounding the new location, reports Fox News. Haworth wrote in a tweet, "I’m glad we were *finally* able to hold the event, with some great Q&A questions after the speech from the people who stayed on. I’m sorry some people left before we found a new location, but I hope you can come to another event soon. Appreciate everyone who came in good faith."

He also expressed on his website, "If they had actually listened to my speech, they would have heard me talk honestly about freedom of speech and the First Amendment, including the notion that you are exposed to ideas you don’t like — which may even apply to the debated constitutionality of drag queen story hours! But they didn’t want to listen, just like they didn’t want to research my views in advance. It’s far easier to label me — a Jewish immigrant — as a member of the KKK, or call me a transphobe putting transgender people in danger — even though I called for compassion and empathy for the suffering of transgender people during a recent speech with Young America’s Foundation — than to take the time and effort to engage one’s own brain."

He added, "This unfortunate display of juvenile chaos demonstrates one thing: that freedom of speech is under attack on campus. These protesters claimed to be utilizing their free speech. But when you are screaming down anyone with opposing viewpoints, that’s no longer free speech. It’s just good ol’ fascism. How ironic."

Who is Ian Haworth?

He is a writer, speaker, and podcast host, according to Young America's Foundations, who graduated from Oxford University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Computer Science. He worked in Silicon Valley as a software engineer and also spent around four years working at Facebook, where he was part of the “Misinformation” team for “fact-checking."

Following his Twitter thread, one user on social media said, "They proved Ian's point without he even saying a word." Another said, "UAlbany and the rest of SUNY is a Woke Joke, what an EPIC Disgrace."

One more commented, "Destroying a Bible disgusts me. These people are in need of real counseling." While a user praised Haworth and wrote, "What a shame!!! Thankful for americans like you who wont be bullied into silence!"

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