Replies

Campus security was present at both YAF lectures by Buchanan and Coulter, but in each case they refused to properly protect our speakers. At the Buchanan lecture at WMU, student organizers approached security asking them to move toward the front of the hall so they would be in a better position to react. Security refused. Following the attack, the conservative students restrained the protestor first, not campus security.

Campus security at WMU are sheriff deputies. Having worked with these people before, I would find it hard to believe that the regular campus security was at this event and did not react. In addition, most of the halls at WMU are entered into from the top. Depending on the number of security personnel present, being station solely at the bottom of the lecture hall would not be the most advantageous position to help keep order. If they were concerned solely about Pat's safety, they should have hired a private security guard.

In addition, the response from WMU administrators has been lackluster at best. Several WMU administrators were at the event, including the vice president of finance, the dean of students and the director of student activities. Not one campus administrator approached Buchanan to ask if he was OK or to apologize for the attack.

I also find this hard to believe. Most of the faculty and staff at WMU are good people. Also, the attacker was not a WMU student. He was a student at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.