UWM Asks for More Money to Protect Muslim-Related Speaker

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UWM Asks for More Money to Protect Muslim-Related Speaker

By Erik Bilstad

Click here to listen to Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Erik Bilstad report the latest in the former Muslim speaker controversy at UWM.

Controversy continues to brew over a speaker scheduled to visit UW-Milwaukee, as the university demands more money to protect him.

Walid Shoebat, a former Islamic Terrorist who wrote a book called "Why I Left Jihad," is scheduled to speak next week. Shoebat has now publicly disdained Islam.

A student group called the Conservative Union is hosting the event, but the president of that group tells the Journal Sentinel that the school has imposed an extra $2,500 fee for security.

The Conservative Union believes officials are trying to get in the way of allowing Shoebat to speak. UWM acknowledges the fee is high. but says it's necessary for this type of speaker.

The Muslim Student Association at UWM says it wouldn't mind if the event was canceled. President Mohamed Elsayed says Shoebat promotes hate speech.

"There's a difference between freedom of speech and hate speech," said Elsayed.

"We're very tolerant of every religion. If you don't believe in our religion, that's fine, but why go on and spread hate about another religion?"

A member of the Muslim Student Association had said they were planning a large protest during the speech, but Elsayed says that's not going to happen.

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