Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has painted over a provocative anti-Trump message written by student Democrats on The Fence, a century-old campus landmark that serves as a free speech message board. The move came hours before President Donald Trump was scheduled to arrive at the university for an energy summit.
The Fence had displayed two messages: “No Rapists On Our Campus” and “Shame On You,” with the latter being a reference to Trump’s 2023 civil trial of sexual abuse and defamation. The student Democrats, led by Avalon Sueiro, president of the Carnegie Mellon College Democrats, were disappointed by the university’s decision.
“We have had exchange with Secret Service through an intermediary continuously for a good couple of days,” explained River Sepinuck, communications chair for the College Democrats. “I believe on Wednesday or Thursday, we were told that The Fence would not be disturbed.”
However, when Alexander Werth, a rising sophomore, walked by The Fence at 8 a.m. Tuesday, he found it had been completely painted over black. After a group of students restored their message, two Secret Service agents visited Sueiro and Sepinuck.
CMU’s dean of students, Gina Casalegno, stated that the university decided to paint over The Fence due to its content lacking “transparency, integrity and respect.” She defended the decision, saying the university supports peaceful dissent and protest but also has a responsibility to foster a respectful environment.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania’s deputy legal director, Sara Rose, said CMU has the right to order The Fence to be repainted as it is a private institution. While some may find the action distasteful, there are no First Amendment violations.
Source: https://triblive.com/local/fence-fight-cmu-orders-students-anti-trump-message-painted-over-ahead-of-presidents-visit