Latest news with #SocraticStage
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Brand's Invite to Speak at Florida College Rescheduled
Actor and comedian Russell Brand won't be addressing the halls of higher learning this week after all ... a college in Florida has decided to reschedule a speaking engagement after confirming his attendance earlier this week -- all this in the wake of sexual assault allegations against him. Brand -- who's facing charges in London of sexual assault by four women, as well as a lawsuit and an investigation in NYC on similar charges -- was set to take part in a panel discussion at the New College of Florida this weekend about free speech and censorship. A spokesman for the college tells TMZ the decision to reschedule "follows changes in event logistics," listing the unavailability of the venue where the event was planned to be held, and citing ticket availability issues. As TMZ reported Tuesday ... Brand had been lined up to appear as a guest speaker at New College of Florida in Sarasota as part of their Socratic Stage series, which is meant to discuss complex and pressing social and political issues. A college spokesman told TMZ the institution of higher learning had invited Brand as part of a "commitment to civil discourse" in their responsibility to "invite dialogue" on topics like "cancel culture." On Thursday, the same spokesperson said, "We look forward to welcoming Mr. Brand to campus at a future date under conditions that allow for thoughtful and topical engagement from both the public and our academic community.' Brand has denied all allegations against him in a video, and spoke about his past, detailing his issues with substance abuse and sexual addiction. Last week, London Metropolitan Police announced Brand has been hit with a slew of charges including one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault, involving four different women that allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2005. Brand has said he's never engaged in "non-consensual activity." Brand's also been served in a civil sexual assault case in New York stemming from alleged behavior on the set of the 2011 movie "Arthur." Warner Bros. announced this week the company would release outtakes from the making of the movie. Brand's expected to appear in a UK court on May 2. We've reached out to Brand ... so far, no word back.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Brand Will Speak at Florida College, Despite UK Rape Charges, NYC Suit
British actor and comedian Russell Brand hasn't lost his audience in the wake of troubling accusations about his personal and professional life ... because he's set to speak at a college in Florida this upcoming Saturday, even after he's been charged with sexual assault in London and has been sued for alleged behavior on a movie set in New York. Brand is lined up to appear as a guest speaker at New College of Florida in Sarasota as part of their Socratic Stage series, which is meant to discuss complex and pressing social and political issues. New College confirmed to TMZ ... Brand will speak at the event titled, "Thinking without Permission: A Conversation with Russell Brand on Free Speech, Censorship, and Cultural Power," part of its Spring 2025 series, scheduled April 12. Other notable speakers participating in the series include Tom Homan -- President Donald Trump's border czar -- and attorney Alan Dershowitz. The liberal arts college has beefed up its right-wing faculty and staff in recent years after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis overhauled the school's leadership and steered it sharply in a conservative direction. Alexandra Nicole Islas, Director of Public Policy Events at the school, tells TMZ ... 'In a time when public pressure often seeks to silence rather than engage, New College of Florida is reaffirming its role in creating space for open inquiry—not eliminating it. After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to move forward with Russell Brand's scheduled appearance as part of a broader conversation on society, culture, and free speech." She continues ... "This is a reflection of our commitment to civil discourse and the belief that even challenging conversations deserve room in the public square. While the justice system independently addresses other matters, our responsibility is to ensure a space where ideas—especially those that invite dialogue such as the topic of cancel culture and free speech, can be explored with respect, critical thought, and intellectual integrity.' As you know ... last week, London Metropolitan Police announced Brand has been hit with a slew of charges including one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. Officials say the charges stem from incidents involving four different women that allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2005. Brand quickly denied all allegations in a video he shared on social media, saying he has never engaged in "non-consensual activity." Brand's also been served in a civil sexual assault case in New York stemming from alleged behavior on the set of the 2011 movie "Arthur." Warner Bros. announced this week the company would release outtakes from the making of the movie. To view all content on this page click here. Brand's expected to appear in a UK court on May 2.
Associated Press
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
NEW COLLEGE ANNOUNCES 2025 SOCRATIC STAGE SERIES: A NATIONAL FORUM FOR FREE SPEECH, DEBATE, AND CIVIL DISCOURSE
Russell Brand, Tom Homan, Alan Dershowitz, Dr. Judith Butler & more take New College's stage to discuss today's most complex and pressing issues. SARASOTA, FL, UNITED STATES, February 14, 2025 / / -- New College of Florida, ranked the No. 1 Public Liberal Arts College by Washington Monthly (2024), proudly presents the 2025 Socratic Stage Dialogue Series, a premier national forum dedicated to intellectual debate, free speech, and civil discourse. The Spring 2025 speaker series will feature an extraordinary lineup of influential scholars, authors, policy experts, and thought leaders addressing topics from media and medicine to law, immigration, and the future of higher education. Key speakers include Russell Brand, Tom Homan, Alan Dershowitz, Dr. Judith Butler, Dr. Scott W. Atlas, Chad Wolf, Steven Donziger, Dr. Stanley Fish, Mollie Hemingway and other highly anticipated speakers who will tackle the most pressing issues of our time. 'At a time when open dialogue is under threat, the Socratic Stage at New College is where real conversations happen,' said New College President Richard Corcoran. 'We believe that the only way to move society forward is through open, honest, and often challenging discussions. New College is committed to fostering intellectual courage, fearless inquiry, and civil discourse and bringing the most interesting and important conversations to the mainstage.' 2025 Socratic Stage Series New College will host eight major events in Spring 2025, held on campus at Sainer Auditorium, unless otherwise noted. Select discussions will be livestreamed on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), and ticketing will be available at A Conversation on Gender: Culture and Academia | Dr. Judith Butler & Dr. Stanley Fish | February 18 A Conversation on the Value of Liberal Arts Education Today | Dr. Joshua T. Katz, Tom Steiner & Dr. David Rancourt | February 25 Defeat, Hope, and the Creation of the Hebrew Bible | Dr. Jacob L. Wright | March 6 The Politics of Medicine: Who Controls the Future of Medical Education? | Dr. Scott W. Atlas & Dr. Stanley Goldfarb | March 8 Borders, National Sovereignty, Rule of Law: What's Next for U.S. Immigration Policy? | Tom Homan & Chad Wolf | March 20 Thinking without Permission: A Conversation with Russell Brand on Free Speech, Censorship, and Cultural Power | Russell Brand & Mark Famiglio, Chairman, Sarasota Film Festival | Date and Location to be announced! Truth, Bias, and Power: How the Transformation of America's Media is Reshaping Society | Dr. Scott W. Atlas, Ben Domenech & Mollie Hemingway | May 6 Justice or Politics? The Weaponization of Law in Modern America | Alan Dershowitz & Steven Donziger | May 22 Also announced this week, Alan Dershowitz, one of the most prominent legal minds of our time, will serve as New College's 2025 Commencement Speaker, underscoring the institution's commitment to free inquiry and civil debate. For more details, ticketing, and livestream access, visit Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida's Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program. For media inquiries or additional information, please contact: Director of Public Policy Events Alexandra Nicole Islas +1 941-487-4108 X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer:
