WASHINGTON — “Cultural libertarian” Milo Yiannopoulos spoke at American University Thursday night, and, as usual, was welcomed by a group of angry student protesters in drag.
Yiannopoulos, the self-described “most fabulous super-villain on the Internet,” was asked to give a presentation on free speech at a Young Americans for Liberty forum. The student-led protest, called “Say NO to Milo,” assembled outside the event.
The protest’s organizer, Noah Leibowitz, sported pink hair, wore makeup, a shoulderless top, plaid skirt, and leggings. He also held a sign that read “Milo Wants Me Dead.”
Emem Obot, whose resume consists of joining social movements, publicly criticized her school.
“Let it be known that AU ain’t shit! The administration ain’t shit! Calvin ain’t shit!,” Obot shouted into the microphone. “At the end of the day, this is about validating ourselves while [Milo] is here who will be speaking about us.”
Leibowitz then led a chant to energize the mob.
“When students’ lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back! When trans’ lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back! Black lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!”
At one point, freshman Stephanie Black — who claimed she was not planning on speaking — grabbed the megaphone and addressed the crowd.
“I am a survivor of sexual trauma,” Black stated, “I am bi-sexual, I am a woman, and I am ashamed to be a part of AU today.”
She also said the promotional posters for Yiannopoulos’ event had left her with crippling anxiety.
“I haven’t slept in the last three weeks,” Black said. “To see those stupid posters posted all over this campus with those pink little letters glittered…I can’t breathe walking down the fucking street at night in [sic] this campus.”
“Triggering is real,” Black insisted.
Correction: Obot says she shouted that “Calvin ain’t shit!”