Source: CVDaily Feed
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LOGAN – A peaceful demonstration was held in front of the Taggart Student Center on USU’s campus Wednesday afternoon in response to the threatened shooting that cancelled author and feminist Anita Sarkeesian’s lecture. The threat came in the form of an email and said if the event wasn’t cancelled a massive shooting would take place.

Students made signs explaining their views and held them up for those for those who passed by. USU student Geoff Smith said he hopes the demonstration shows that USU will not stand for “what amounts to terrorism.”

“I really like USU’s community and I’m aggravated and upset that something like this would purportedly come from the community and I don’t think we should stand for it,” he said. “Hopefully a lot of people will come out and stand in solidarity and decide this is not for us. This is not what we want. We are an academic institution. Without the free exchange of ideas we are nothing.”

Emma Davis said she was already planning on coming to campus with a sign before she knew there was an organized demonstration. She said she doesn’t agree with all of Sarkeesian’s views, but participated in the demonstration because she believes everyone has the right to share their opinions.

“No one should ever be threatened with violence,” she said. “That’s why I’m here today.”

One of the things Sarkeesian is known for is her criticisms of how females are portrayed in video games. Mikaila Young was looking forward to attending the lecture because she is studying computer science with hopes to work in the video game industry. She said she hopes to one day make video games that appeal to everyone and was disappointed that the lecture was cancelled.

“I decided to come out because it is not OK for someone to issue a death threat and actually a threat of terrorism over someone lobbying for equal rights,” Young said. “That’s just not OK.”