On Tuesday, September 26th and Wednesday, September 27th protesters gathered at the University of Louisville’s Campus free speech zone. The group was also at the University of Kentucky’s campus on Monday, September 25th. This group was set to protest from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on each day. On-campus protests are nothing unusual, but the nature of this particular gathering left students troubled. The group held signs with sayings like “Women are Property”, and “Repent to Jesus or Burn.” The group was roped off and protected by UofL staff while they spouted homophobic, racist, and misogynistic rhetoric. Students report hearing slurs directed towards them as well as staff members. Protestors left on Tuesday at 4:00 P.M.. On Wednesday they did not arrive until 3:00 P.M. and left at 5:00 P.M.. The reasons they did not stay for their initially planned time are unknown.
Students gathered around the display to counter the protest with signs and chants like “God Loves Everyone” and “God Made Adam and Eve but I’m Both”. Students also blocked the protests from view by forming a circle around them. After the protest, student organizations on both campuses held discussions about the protests, with both UofL and UK students not being happy with the situation. I asked a UofL student about her feelings on the protests. “The whole situation made me feel very disturbed and anxious. As a Christian and a woman it was very upsetting…” The UK student I interviewed had a different thought. “I believe they [the protestors] are scam artists attempting to sue the school when a student assaults them.” Both students I interviewed had heard rumors that these protestors were purposefully attempting to incite violence, but these rumors could not be confirmed.
Both universities quickly responded to the situation. The University of Louisville’s Dean of Students commented,“…As a state institution bound by law and committed to the principles of the First Amendment, the university is required to provide access to individuals and groups that are not part of the campus community who wish to engage in speech activities. The university does not condone any type of threatening, harassing or condemning speech…” The University of Kentucky released a similar statement on its Instagram page stating, “The University condemns statements made today by visitors on our campus…nonetheless as an institution of higher learning and a public university, we have a responsibility to respect free speech and expression under the First Amendment” I asked students their thoughts on their universities’ response. One commented, “Even though I fundamentally disagree with these people who came to campus…you can’t ban hate speech because there is nothing formal that outlines what that even is.” Another remarked, “I think everyone overestimates how much our university cares.”
My personal opinion on this matter is that while protestors have a right to protest on a public campus, the number of students who reported being harassed and berated by these protestors, as well as students who were deeply troubled and disturbed by the actions of the protestors crosses a line. The First Amendment protects the right to peacefully assemble, and to me, these protestors were violating this right for students. A student on UK’s campus was involved in a physical altercation with one of these protestors. With so many students upset by this situation, the protestors disrupted students’ sense of safety and well-being. The University should remove not just these protestors, but any group of protestors that greatly impacts campus security.
agreement with the city of Lexington, which will provide LexHistory with $270,000 in yearly funding as long as specific benchmarks are met, including a physical location.
Black jockeys and trainers to early Kentucky Derby winners, the history of black four-rail fences, and the HorseMania events of the 21st century. Another of Lexington’s world-famous industries is Bourbon, and the museum tells the history of some of Lexington’s most famous distilleries of the past and present, from James E. Pepper to the Town Branch Distillery. These industries were bolstered in the late 19th and 20th centuries by the success of the hotel industry in Lexington. The museum focuses on the Phoenix Hotel that operated in downtown Lexington in some capacity from 1797 to 1981, highlighting its famous guests and its importance to the Civil Rights movement in Kentucky with the 1961 NBA boycott. The later portions of the museum dedicate significant attention to the importance of IBM in 20th-century Lexington, displaying several IBM products and contrasting how its arrival drove up local wages but led to divestment in downtown Lexington. Other aspects of the museum include a whole room dedicated to the Hunt Morgan Family that once lived on the property and a wind vane that once stood atop the old Fayette County Courthouse that is displayed at the entrance. 
vocalist Tyler Baker described the experience as “a great opportunity” for the musicians. He stated that “having the chance to play alongside our friends in Sphynx, as well as other incredible local artists, was perfect.” He added, too, that “having the support of the Transylvania community was wonderful, and we’re excited to grow in the Lexington music scene.”
Jack: Wow! That had to be a stressful month, especially on top of classes and other obligations.
Yesterday also happened to be the date of a standard health code inspection. With a previous score of 100 and a mostly consistent history of passing scores, students were shocked at the failing score of 86. While that would count as a “B” on your final exams, this score is similar to a “D” in the eyes of health inspectors, as a score less than 85 would constitute a process that might lead the facility to be shut down. More curious was the fact that the inspection notice was covered up by a miscellaneous sign during dinner hours, a small move that slid past many unsuspecting students. Once revealed, the health code inspection listed violations of the following requirements: Good Hygienic Practice, Protection from Contamination, Temperature Control for Safety, Utensils/Equipment, and Physical Facilities.
The only way to describe the energy at the American Airlines Center on Saturday morning was electric. Transylvania fans and alumni traveled hundreds of miles to show their support for the team. The Transylvania Volleyball Team was there cheering on their fellow athletes, and President Brien Lewis, too, showed his continued support. Some fans had caught overnight flights and some, like myself, did the twelve-hour road trip from Lexington to Dallas. After an exciting and undefeated season, Transy fans were fired up and ready to watch the team take what was rightfully theirs. 