University of Chicago cites security concerns in attempt to cancel Tim Pool, Jack Posobiec event

The attempted canceling of a Tim Pool and Jack Posobiec event at the University of Chicago has been narrowly averted. The two commentators had been invited for a fireside chat with the Chicago Thinker, but the University of Chicago's Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, which hosts the location, attempted to cancel the event, saying that "it was too controversial," Matthew Foldi reported. The school, The Chicago Thinker said, cited security concerns.

"Your event might be, as the terminology goes 'controversial,'" the school told The Chicago Thinker, who was hosting the event in association with UChicago's TPUSA chapter. An email was sent by the Volunteer and Contemporary Art Program Coordinator, saying, "I am terribly sorry to write this email, but it has been brought to my attention this morning that your event might be, as the terminology goes 'controversial.' I wish you could have brought it to my attention earlier. This fact, unfortunately, changes our arrangement quite drastically."

The Chicago Thinker had reserved space at Breasted Hall, part of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures. "If the event is considered controversial," the email went on, "a whole new arrangement would have to be made. And since Friday night is the time when the museum is open to the public until 8 PM we can't have the museum in the state of heightened security with general public still milling about."

"I apologize for having to do that," the email concludes, "but since closing the galleries was not part of our arrangement, I would have, with many apologies, to cancel your reservation."

The Chicago Thinker attempted to get clarity on what was meant by "controversial," but no answer was forthcoming. Instead, they repeated their concerns about security, though the Chicago Thinker had "self-acquired security arrangements" which would consist of "UCPD officers being present at the entrance, with no tangential areas to venues being closed."

The Chicago Thinker "escalated concerns about their freedom of expression to host events on campus, regardless of their content, to UChicago’s administration and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), after which, ISAC’s cancelling of the event based on its contents was reversed," Akshay Kirthi reported for the outlet, which has the motto of "outthink the mob."

The University issued an apology with a reinstatement. "The October 9 event is going forward as scheduled; the University has worked with the student organizers to ensure that it will proceed. Staff at the event venue incorrectly cited possible security concerns as a potential obstacle to hosting the event," school administrators said.

"The University has extensive support systems to ensure that all kinds of events can proceed successfully. Once senior leaders at the University became aware of the issue, it was immediately corrected and the University apologized to event organizers.

"In addition, University leadership is taking steps to ensure that room scheduling across the University is consistent with our values. As part of our unwavering commitment to free expression, the University of Chicago is deeply committed to the ability of Recognized Student Organizations to invite speakers of their choice and to upholding the ability of speakers to express a wide range of views. The University works carefully to apply these principles consistently and acts promptly to improve when any part of the University falls short."

The event is to be "a conversation on where the conservative movement stands today," with The Chicago Thinker saying they were "bringing Tim Pool back to Chicago, the city he grew up in, and this time he's bringing Jack Posobiec." 

"At this event," they say, "Tim and Jack will join us for a conversation on where the conservative movement in America stands today, from the realignment pulling working class and younger voters to the right, to the growing tension between old guard conservatism and the populist, online right he helped build a platform for."

In speaking about the event, The Chicago Thinker said, "Whether you agree with them or not, Tim Pool and Jack Posobiec are shaping how millions of Americans think about politics, and apparently that was reason enough for the administration to try to keep them off campus. Pool hosts Timcast IRL, the most watched political podcast on YouTube, and Posobiec hosts Human Events Daily and co-authored the bestseller Unhumans. Together they sit at the center of the biggest questions on the American right today: where the conservative movement is going, what its place in America is, and how it should deal with a radical liberal movement.

"With young and working class voters shifting right, the old guard clashing with a new online, populist wing, and a realignment over economic issues, this is a pivotal moment for American politics and the conservative movement. At a university that claims to stand for free expression, this is your chance to hear that fight firsthand and put your own questions to two of the people driving it."