GOP Debate Sparks Mixed Reactions at UA Campus: When the fourth Republican primary debate at Moody Music Building on a Wednesday evening, quite a few students weren’t thrilled about it being on campus.
Even though the event wasn’t for the general public, the SGA decided to dole out a limited number of tickets to 25 organizations for their members.
Christian Martin, a sophomore deep into history and theater, vented his frustration, saying, I hate it when you host an event that is supposed to support and encourage civic engagement amongst your students, then almost none of your students can come.
Because the debate decided to set up camp on campus, parking lots were shut down, and traffic had to find new routes.
Jackson Diaz-Drake, a senior studying criminal justice, grumbled that his usual route to campus took longer than expected. Its an inconvenience to everybody who is here on campus trying to do final exams, Diaz-Drake added. Its a logistical nightmare.
In response to the debate hubbub, UA College Democrats organized an event named “We Dare Defend Our Rights” in Room 125 in ten Hoor Hall, home to UAs political science department.
UA College Democrats announced on Nov. 29 that the event, named after Alabamas state motto, would stand against fascist forces. Their Instagram post read, We hope to see everybody there as we begin our efforts to win up and down the ballot in 2024.
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The event included watching the fourth presidential debate, featuring former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Paige Edwards, a senior delving into economics and serving as the vice president of the organization, expressed a wish that the debate werent held on campus. We have so many right-wing speakers and so much right-wing attention, Edwards said. The administration doesnt seem to provide support for the communities that may be targeted.
This debate marks another instance of prominent right-wing figures making appearances on campus, coming eight months after former Vice President Mike Pence spoke at an event sponsored by Young Americans for Freedom at the University, sparking similar outrage.
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