A Catholic university president has responded to criticism seeking to stop Daily Wire host Matt Walsh from speaking on campus Tuesday evening to launch his “What Is a Woman?” tour.
The Catholic University of America (CUA) President Peter Kilpatrick emailed the school’s community following a meeting with a group opposing the event.
“There is a long tradition here at Catholic University that approved student organizations are given the authority to make their own decisions about which speakers to invite to campus (with the caveat that we cannot give an unfettered forum to those who openly advocate against Catholic teaching). I will continue that practice,” Kilpatrick said in his decision to allow the event sponsored by the CUA Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter to continue.
Kilpatrick emphasized that allowing a variety of speakers is a mark of a thriving learning environment.
“I believe that bringing in speakers that challenge us and push us to consider different perspectives is a hallmark of a thriving intellectual environment. My hope is that it’s done in a way that is charitable and respectful of our community,” Kilpatrick added.
Though the event is still approved, the president reminded the university that the institution does not necessarily support Walsh’s views.
“I would like to underline that allowing a speaker on campus is not an endorsement by the University,” Kilpatrick noted.
Members of the university’s chapter of YAF have said that some posters promoting the event had been taken down.
.@MattWalshBlog After hanging flyers for Matt Walsh’s lecture on Tuesday, my flyer was ripped down and this sign was placed across the hall from my dorm. Despite attempts to intimidate .@catholicuyaf , I am looking forward to our upcoming event! pic.twitter.com/W9DEMs5Phn
— Caitlin Brawley (@CaitlinBrawley) September 30, 2022
According to the YAF’s Nick Bakker, one student even placed a sign reading, “Trans Women are REAL WOMEN,” across the hall from the dorm room of Caitlin Brawley, a member of the CUA YAF chapter’s board.
CUAllies, an LGBTQ+ group on campus, condemned the YAF’s event, stating that it was working to stop Walsh from speaking at CUA.
“As your e-Board, we want to let you know that this is happening and that you SHOULD NOT go to the event,” read an email obtained by YAF. “We are actively working with other organizations to make it clear that it is unacceptable for this event to be allowed on campus.”
Other campus groups have also cried out against Walsh’s “What Is a Woman?” tour.
CUA’s Black Student Alliance reportedly also shared the CUAllies statement, offering a safe space for students upset by the upcoming lecture. The campus group CUA Progressive Student Union is hosting its protest event an hour after of Walsh’s scheduled appearance.
The YAF website offers more details for those seeking free tickets to “What Is a Woman?” featuring Matt Walsh, along with more information regarding future locations in the tour. The CUA event is free and open to the public.
