Sessions leaving Northwestern University with armed security - Mark Weyermuller photo
By Mark Weyermuller -
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was met with angry protesters Tuesday night at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. The event, sponsored the Northwestern College Republicans and the Young Americans Foundation (YAF), was held at the university's Lutkin Hall with about 250 people in attendance, mostly students.
Check out FoxNews.com story on the protest, including Weyermuller's tweet
The title of Sessions' speech was, “The Real Meaning of the Trump Agenda.” The speech was sold out as a ticketed event with attendees going through bag checks and scanning of their tickets.
Young America's Foundation video of protests
Outside of the hall, about 150 protesters assembled as part of an organized event called “A Night of Action."
As soon as Sessions started speaking, protesters reportedly came in side doors and open windows to the hallway outside the lecture hall. They held signs despite publicized rules banning signs, and apparently were not screened by security. They were held in the building's halls by Northwestern Campus Police and not allowed to enter the lecture room. During Sessions' 60 minute speech, protesters chanted, yelled, screamed, and pounded on walls and doors to disrupt.
The Evanston Police were called by an attendee but the caller says he was told the protest fell under the jurisdiction of Northwestern Campus Police Department. It’s unclear if the Evanston Police ever responded to the scene. Attendees said it was common for a heavy Evanston Police presence on campus during special events as seen in last two weeks for Northwestern home football games.
In addition there were roughly 25 Northwestern administrators and staff on site, including several who identified as the university's “media affairs.” It is possible the campus police might have had a “stand down order” against any arrests or forcible removal of unauthorized or non-ticketed people in the building. It appeared no arrests were made.
After the speech, Sessions was escorted to a side room to the left of the stage, while security evaluated how to do his exit. After most of the attendees left, he came out to interact with members of the College Republicans. I was able to get a quick photo which was interrupted in a minor scuffle as a protester attempted to get close to Sessions. Again, Sessions was escorted back to the room left of the stage as police and private security stood by the door. After about five minutes Sessions was escorted under heavy security, maybe a dozen police and administrators to a door on the right of the stage to a waiting car.
The issues of free speech and 1st amendments rights are under discussion and scrutiny here. One question is if Northwestern will allow all speakers in the future on any topic and provide adequate security? On another note, Jeff Sessions might be running for U.S. Senate in Alabama in 2020. With President Donald J. Trump on the ballot, there surely will be more fireworks ahead.
Mark Weyermuller is a small business person, real estate professional, and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist and regular contributor to Illinois Review.
