Demonstrations against Jared Taylor speaking engagement at CMU
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The speaking engagement of Jared Taylor at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) sparked controversy across the Grand Valley, with two demonstrations taking place in response.
'We had Jared Taylor speaking on a microphone for at least 50 minutes about how we need to be racially segregated,' said TikTok star Dean Withers.
WesternSlopeNow was not able to attend the speech but was able to reactions from attendees as they left.
'Because as soon as I opened my mouth to express how I feel to counter how he felt,' said Withers. 'Guess what, I was told if I opened my mouth again, I'd be kicked out. So, I'd ask this, not only about the university administration, but the sponsors of the WCC (Western Culture Club, who invited Taylor to CMU), tell me why. If you value free speech enough to let a white supremacist be platformed and speak at your school, how come I can't speak?'
Outside the University Center, two separate demonstrations were taking place, both in protest to the speaker.
A march, organized by Mesa County Democratic Socialists of America, started at the corner of North Avenue and 12th Street and began its march just after 5 p.m.
Media liaison of the group, Bishop Walden, provided several examples of Taylor's statements that influenced her to stand against his ideals.
'It has concerned me a lot to read the kinds of articles that are published in American Renaissance. Honestly, any public figure that rubs shoulders with neo-Nazis and known Klansmen, I believe, has no place on a college campus.'
Richard Crespin was a member of the march. Crespin shared some words about CMU President John Marshall and the university's decision to allow Taylor to speak.
'If you have to have the university center packed and surrounded with police officers and snipers on the rooftops, that the content of the speech… If you have to go to those greatest of security measures, then there is something inherently wrong with the content of the speech.'
The second demonstration on campus was organized by the Campus Unity Organization and Club. This demonstration was a university-sanctioned event. Vice President of the club Sam Hartley talked about why their demonstration needed to happen.
'What we wanted to do with this event is show what this community can be when everybody stands together. I think that was really important to provide for students so that they had a safe option to show what this community is really about.'
WesternSlopeNow will be reaching out to CMU President John Marshall for comment on the speech's aftermath.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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