OU Young Americans for Freedom is hosting conservative commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval today with support from OU Turning Point USA.
Crowder will be stationed near the Bizzell Memorial Library to debate OU students and staff from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is designed similarly to those of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was known for his visits to college campuses.
Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA, was assassinated Sept. 10 at an event at Utah Valley University.
In an email to OU Daily Tuesday, OU Marketing and Communications wrote the university is aware of the event and it is committed to supporting free speech and expression of student organizations while prioritizing safety.
"The safety and security of our campus community remain our highest priority. Standard safety protocols, along with additional measures requested by the speaker, will be in place,” the email reads.
Heightened security
As of early today, about 30 law enforcement and private security personnel were congregated on the northeast end of the South Oval.
Snipers can be seen in pairs on the roofs of three buildings, George Lynn Cross Hall, Lin Hall and Gaylord Hall. K-9 units are also seen around the South Oval.
Norman Police Department will also be stationed around campus for the event.
Bike racks, which will be used as barriers, and bulletproof glass will be set up around Crowder's tent, and multiple cameras and a drone were being prepped to be stationed around the debate.
In a mass email OU Marketing and Communications wrote the increased security is not in response to a safety concern, but it was requested by Crowder and the event organizers.
"To help ensure a safe environment for all participants and attendees, university safety protocols are in place. In addition, the hosting registered student organizations and the speaker requested, and are funding, additional security measures," the email reads. "These enhancements reflect the RSOs’ and the speaker’s preference for added precautions, not a response to any specific safety concern."
At a recent debate at Southern Methodist University, Crowder reportedly wore a bulletproof vest and no microphones or speakers were used during the debate.
Who is Steven Crowder?
Crowder is a Canadian-American conservative commentator and host of podcast “Louder with Crowder,” and he has amassed 1.4 million followers on Instagram and 5.8 million subscribers on YouTube.
Crowder began his career as a voice actor and later became a contributor on Fox News. After launching his podcast in 2016, Crowder began his “Prove Me Wrong” series where he debates various topics with members of the public.
His debates are often filmed and posted on his YouTube page.
Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
Photos: Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder holds South Oval event
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder debates with an OU student on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Crowd during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Armed police officers on the roof of Lin Hall during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Louder with Crowder mug during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Armed police officers on the roof of Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Sign during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Armed police officers on the roof of George Lynn Cross Hall during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder debates with an OU student on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Armed police officers on the roof of George Lynn Cross Hall during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5
Armed police officers on the roof of Lin Hall during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5
Armed police officers on the roof of George Lynn Cross Hall during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5
Armed police officers on the roof of Lin Hall during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5
Armed police officers on the roof of Gaylord Hall during conservative political commentator Steven Crowder's debate on the South Oval on Nov. 5
Shadow of a sniper's gun on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Snipers on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder sign on the South Oval Nov. 5.
OU Turning Point USA president Kalib Magana and Twystal on the South Oval Nov. 5.
OU math professor and Turning Point USA faculty adviser Gary Barksdale on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Crowd on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder sign on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Crowd on the South Oval Nov. 5.
K-9 unit Bruno on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Chloe McSorley on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Lane Kendall and Jillian Lidya on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Decorated bag on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder and Twystal on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Event attendee at Steven Crowder event on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Snipers on the South Oval Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Conservative political commentator Steven Crowder arriving on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
Crowd on the South Oval on Nov. 5.
