Salisbury University Postpones Visit from Controversial Speaker
Image Courtesy of SU College Republicans
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University (SU) has postponed a controversial speaking event originally scheduled for Monday, Mar. 9, due to safety concerns.
The Maryland Federation of College Republicans (MDFCR) invited Jared Taylor, a self-proclaimed “white advocate” and proponent of scientific racism, to speak on the college campus. The University says that since the event was announced, the level of anticipated attendance, counter-demonstrations, and related security needs increased significantly. The planning and public safety resources needed to ensure the safety of all students and faculty were unable to be provided on short notice.
“The MDFCR is not an SU organization, and the event was scheduled by the group as an outside entity renting space on campus,” the University said in a statement. “SU does not discriminate against activities hosted by third-party organizations meeting the financial and legal requirements for reserving campus space; however, the safety and security of the University community remains our highest priority.”
The event gained the attention of the community shortly after it was announced on Wednesday, Mar. 4. Colin McEvers, Chairman of the Maryland College Republicans and President of SU’s College Republicans, organized the event and issued a statement to social media following backlash. He claimed “full responsibility” for the planning and invitation of Taylor, and emphasized the importance of open dialogue on college campuses.
“People are scared of controversial topics, like white advocacy, so they seek to suppress discussion around those topics by using buzzwords; ‘racist,’ ‘white supremacist,’ ‘fascist,’ and so on,” McEvers wrote. “Although I don’t personally agree with every single view Mr. Taylor holds, he certainly has some insightful things to say… Fundamentally, the purpose of this event is to bolster open dialogue on campus and break through cancel culture.”
McEvers went on to call Taylor “one of the most censored men in America,” and shared his excitement for students to hear and even challenge Taylor’s views. In a videoed conversation posted to social media this afternoon, McEvers said he had the idea to invite Taylor to campus after meeting him at a gala in Dec. 2025. When asked if he had spoken to anyone about the event leading up to its fruition, he affirmed contacting leaders on the regional, state, and national levels, but stated that it was mostly kept behind closed doors to prevent leaked details.
McEvers also stated his dismay with the SU College Democrats and local leaders that have condemned the event. Salisbury Councilwoman Michele Gregory took to social media on Thursday and shamed McEvers for the framing of the event.
“The attempt to frame this event as a defense of ‘free speech’ misses the point. Free speech protects people from government censorship. It does not require universities or communities to provide a platform for individuals who promote white nationalist ideology,” Councilwoman Gregory wrote. “Jared Taylor is not simply a controversial speaker. His public career has been built on advocating racial hierarchy and exclusion. That is not an academic debate.”
While the event was not postponed due to its content, the University says they do not support Taylor’s messaging or ideology.
“Salisbury University does not endorse, sponsor, or support the views of Mr. Taylor or the event being organized,” their statement read. “Mr. Taylor is widely known for extremist rhetoric that is fundamentally inconsistent with the University’s core values of respect, equity, and inclusion. However, as a public institution, SU must uphold the constitutional principles of free speech and expression, even when those viewpoints conflict with our community values.”
While the event has not been canceled, a rescheduled date has not been provided at this time.
