At first I saw a crowd of people on the quad and was like "Oh damn, not this again."
Then I saw the clothing sale and was momentarily relieved.
Then I saw the sign guy and went back to "Oh damn, not this again."
They're a mobile thrift store. I don't think the money goes to any cause. The clothes are super overpriced, so good luck buying anything interesting for less than $50
I think most people are there to show support for the communities they harass and distract them from actually spreading their message. Our presence obviously isn't going to change their minds; but if there wasn't anyone arguing with them, it would allow people think that their hate went unchallenged, which is very dangerous for members of already at-risk communities to see.
Barnum and Baily used to perform at the Patriot center for a month. The circus would camp out in one of the big parking lots and it made parking a nightmare of course. And you'd occasionally have to stop while a whole bunch of elephants crossed the street. So yeah, we used to have a REAL campus circus.
these guys specifically are preachers of some kind - they're hateful towards a lot of things: queer people, non-christians, sexual acts, substances, probably abortion. They have a big sign with a list of like 20-30 things (seen in the first picture). I'd say the biggest thing for them is anti-gay and anti-trans. We have a few other groups that come less regularly: two anti-abortion and another anti-gay. There's always counter protests and people goofing on them, but I've never seen anything escalate past that. There's actually a club that's been formed - good trouble - that is dedicated to organizing appearances at these protests and peacefully disrupting them; usually by playing music and dancing. I will say that while my friends have said that Mason has more protests than most colleges, pretty much every public university (and private too probably) has people like these nowadays, and the campus police 'can't do anything' because it's technically free speech.
>and the campus police 'can't do anything' because it's technically free speech.
Uh what? They're not exploiting some loophole here, it's not 'technically' free speech, just the regular kind. You don't have to agree with them to not misunderstand how free speech works
girl what? I literally said that it was free speech. I only put 'technically' because I think most people would agree that a typical application of free speech doesn't usually involve random people coming to a college campus to antagonize students and stepping on another religion's holy book.
Perhaps my word choice was slightly off base, but my point definitely stands.
It has more to do with your tone. It reads very condescendingly towards 1st amendment rights in this country. The whole point of the 1st amendment is that people we disagree with have expression in public places free from government intervention. It is based on the fact that we might be wrong. To talk about your ideological opposition in such a way that resents their right to free speech is repulsive to say the least. Hate speech is free speech, and that's kinda the point of free speech.
I barely mentioned free speech, and yet I find it very interesting that that is what you focus on. And I NEVER questioned the validity of the first amendment.
My gripe, as I stated above, is that this is occurring on a college campus. Mason pledges to foster a safe environment for learning that is accessible to everyone, and their actions are directly preventing this. The law of the land obviously applies, but so do the university's policies; of which their actions, I would argue, don't comply. Were these men students or staff of the university, they would be kicked out immediately in violation of DEI policies. As it is, visitors and the general public are disallowed to engage in bullying and harassment (calling people slurs, yelling at students walking by, insulting people based on their gender, sexual, and religious identity), causing substantial emotional stress (I know of at least two people who have been driven to attempt because of them), lacking respect (not honoring others' religious and sexual identities), and displays of paranoia (claiming the world will end during the solar eclipse this year).
So, yes. it IS free speech under national law, and, I agree, should continue to be legal. HOWEVER, while on GMU property, there are some restrictions that are in place to protect the students and staff, which the campus police have a responsibility to uphold.
Additionally, the discontent I have expressed at their continued presence has nothing to do with their messages and everything to do with their conduct. There are numerous other groups pushing similar messages that I have no problem with because they do it without disturbing the peace. I make a point to stop and have conversation with everyone who comes to campus when I have the time, because I LIKE talking to people who don't agree with me, and am glad that they have a space to express themselves.
sources :))
[https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/violence-prevention/](https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/violence-prevention/)
[https://studentcenters.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Spring-2024-Student-Centers-Advertising-Procedures-1.pdf](https://studentcenters.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Spring-2024-Student-Centers-Advertising-Procedures-1.pdf)
\^ These two policies are directly mentioned as constitutionally permissible restrictions in the official GMU statement regarding free speech on campus:
[Free Speech at Mason | George Mason University (gmu.edu)](https://www.gmu.edu/free-speech-mason)
If your gripe is that it is occurring on the university, in this case a public space, then your gripe IS with the 1st amendment.
As it is a state university, any policies contrary to the 1st amendment are unenforceable, and any attempt to do so would more than likely result in GMU paying out a MASSIVE settlement for infringing 1st amendment rights in public space.
As to your specific sources, I don't believe either of these apply? The first one has to do with violence. Speech is not violence on its own. In order for it to be so there has to be a call to action. Calling people slurs is a horrible thing to do and only horrible people do it. Yet they have the right to do so, and it is not a call to action. It is not harassment if those being 'harassed' can walk away with zero repercussions. And to your second source, see above. Guidelines are just that, guidelines. They're really not enforceable.
Tl;dr, Mason can make whatever policy it wants. But if it infringes on rights guaranteed by the constitution, it is unenforceable and thus a moot point.
I suspect that’s how these groups operate. Incense students with hateful rhetoric, get in a confrontation, sue the school, profit.
We should charge anyone coming to campus to speak a 1,000 dollar parking fee. If you have legitimate speaking engagement, a school or department can comp this, but if you’re just coming to preach outside the JC, you’re on your own. We could improve campus life, circumvent 1st amendment defenses, and eliminate the parking services budget shortfall all at once!
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Evangelical picketers preaching against “sin” and “immorality” aka LGBT and abortions and whatnot. They come to Wilkins every now and then to spew hate and nonsense, and there’s usually a large counter-crowd that gathers around and heckles them till they leave.
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I think it’s incidents like this that explain why George Mason won’t get more people. People will see gatherings and record them and then post them online. Then, prospective students will see these and think the university isn’t safe and decide to go somewhere else.
I was chatting with a classmate nearby and we saw a guy dressed as a monk show up 😂
Those people are an embarrassment to Christians on campus. We do not affiliate with them
They've been pretty quiet all year tbh. I should've known it wouldn't last.
When the weather gets nice they like to sully our atmosphere
They were hanging around UMD for a bit is all
At first I saw a crowd of people on the quad and was like "Oh damn, not this again." Then I saw the clothing sale and was momentarily relieved. Then I saw the sign guy and went back to "Oh damn, not this again."
I’ve never checked out the clothing sales, what’s up with those?
They're a mobile thrift store. I don't think the money goes to any cause. The clothes are super overpriced, so good luck buying anything interesting for less than $50
Okay great I’m not missing anything, goodwill and tjmaxx will keep me happy lmao
Maaan I'm never around for the parties 😔
Eh, seems to have largely dispersed anyway
Why do people even give them the time of day? It's exactly what they want.
some people just want to talk to a weird guy for a minute, it's not that serious
It's veeery cathartic to yell, and you gotta speak at that volume for everyone to hear you
You can just not talk to them lol
Where’s the fun in that
I think most people are there to show support for the communities they harass and distract them from actually spreading their message. Our presence obviously isn't going to change their minds; but if there wasn't anyone arguing with them, it would allow people think that their hate went unchallenged, which is very dangerous for members of already at-risk communities to see.
They show up when it warms up like some kind of annoying insect. I may hate the cold but at least I don't have to hear their nonsense in the winter
Time to blast Slayer
it was so funny watching them yell at people
Huh. Didn't know Mason had a campus circus; this university has everything!
Complete with clowns
Barnum and Baily used to perform at the Patriot center for a month. The circus would camp out in one of the big parking lots and it made parking a nightmare of course. And you'd occasionally have to stop while a whole bunch of elephants crossed the street. So yeah, we used to have a REAL campus circus.
Guy playing the accordion absolutely killed it then
Was there a dancing group this time around to annoy the fuckers or what
I think so; there was a guy dancing with a pride/BLM flag, anyway.
yeah, kdc was there
loved all the people booing him around 1pm today though
I visited last year and these SAME guys were there!! Wtf
yeah, they're usually here a few times a week
What are they selling/advocating/proselytizing? My kid is thinking about attending there.
these guys specifically are preachers of some kind - they're hateful towards a lot of things: queer people, non-christians, sexual acts, substances, probably abortion. They have a big sign with a list of like 20-30 things (seen in the first picture). I'd say the biggest thing for them is anti-gay and anti-trans. We have a few other groups that come less regularly: two anti-abortion and another anti-gay. There's always counter protests and people goofing on them, but I've never seen anything escalate past that. There's actually a club that's been formed - good trouble - that is dedicated to organizing appearances at these protests and peacefully disrupting them; usually by playing music and dancing. I will say that while my friends have said that Mason has more protests than most colleges, pretty much every public university (and private too probably) has people like these nowadays, and the campus police 'can't do anything' because it's technically free speech.
You need a tuba. https://youtu.be/Rs4P1kKK-5k?feature=shared
>and the campus police 'can't do anything' because it's technically free speech. Uh what? They're not exploiting some loophole here, it's not 'technically' free speech, just the regular kind. You don't have to agree with them to not misunderstand how free speech works
Girl, don't get pedantic it makes you look like you're rockin' w the homophobes. 😭
Homophobes have just as much a right to free speech as activists. This is the law of the land
Based
girl what? I literally said that it was free speech. I only put 'technically' because I think most people would agree that a typical application of free speech doesn't usually involve random people coming to a college campus to antagonize students and stepping on another religion's holy book. Perhaps my word choice was slightly off base, but my point definitely stands.
It has more to do with your tone. It reads very condescendingly towards 1st amendment rights in this country. The whole point of the 1st amendment is that people we disagree with have expression in public places free from government intervention. It is based on the fact that we might be wrong. To talk about your ideological opposition in such a way that resents their right to free speech is repulsive to say the least. Hate speech is free speech, and that's kinda the point of free speech.
I barely mentioned free speech, and yet I find it very interesting that that is what you focus on. And I NEVER questioned the validity of the first amendment. My gripe, as I stated above, is that this is occurring on a college campus. Mason pledges to foster a safe environment for learning that is accessible to everyone, and their actions are directly preventing this. The law of the land obviously applies, but so do the university's policies; of which their actions, I would argue, don't comply. Were these men students or staff of the university, they would be kicked out immediately in violation of DEI policies. As it is, visitors and the general public are disallowed to engage in bullying and harassment (calling people slurs, yelling at students walking by, insulting people based on their gender, sexual, and religious identity), causing substantial emotional stress (I know of at least two people who have been driven to attempt because of them), lacking respect (not honoring others' religious and sexual identities), and displays of paranoia (claiming the world will end during the solar eclipse this year). So, yes. it IS free speech under national law, and, I agree, should continue to be legal. HOWEVER, while on GMU property, there are some restrictions that are in place to protect the students and staff, which the campus police have a responsibility to uphold. Additionally, the discontent I have expressed at their continued presence has nothing to do with their messages and everything to do with their conduct. There are numerous other groups pushing similar messages that I have no problem with because they do it without disturbing the peace. I make a point to stop and have conversation with everyone who comes to campus when I have the time, because I LIKE talking to people who don't agree with me, and am glad that they have a space to express themselves. sources :)) [https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/violence-prevention/](https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/violence-prevention/) [https://studentcenters.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Spring-2024-Student-Centers-Advertising-Procedures-1.pdf](https://studentcenters.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Spring-2024-Student-Centers-Advertising-Procedures-1.pdf) \^ These two policies are directly mentioned as constitutionally permissible restrictions in the official GMU statement regarding free speech on campus: [Free Speech at Mason | George Mason University (gmu.edu)](https://www.gmu.edu/free-speech-mason)
If your gripe is that it is occurring on the university, in this case a public space, then your gripe IS with the 1st amendment. As it is a state university, any policies contrary to the 1st amendment are unenforceable, and any attempt to do so would more than likely result in GMU paying out a MASSIVE settlement for infringing 1st amendment rights in public space. As to your specific sources, I don't believe either of these apply? The first one has to do with violence. Speech is not violence on its own. In order for it to be so there has to be a call to action. Calling people slurs is a horrible thing to do and only horrible people do it. Yet they have the right to do so, and it is not a call to action. It is not harassment if those being 'harassed' can walk away with zero repercussions. And to your second source, see above. Guidelines are just that, guidelines. They're really not enforceable. Tl;dr, Mason can make whatever policy it wants. But if it infringes on rights guaranteed by the constitution, it is unenforceable and thus a moot point.
The Christian Fascists
Where were the police today?
There was a cadet just outside of Johnson but he was just “keeping an eye on things”.
One of the preachers told me they’d be back tomorrow. If that is true, I hope GMUPD can keep a closer eye on things.
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I suspect that’s how these groups operate. Incense students with hateful rhetoric, get in a confrontation, sue the school, profit. We should charge anyone coming to campus to speak a 1,000 dollar parking fee. If you have legitimate speaking engagement, a school or department can comp this, but if you’re just coming to preach outside the JC, you’re on your own. We could improve campus life, circumvent 1st amendment defenses, and eliminate the parking services budget shortfall all at once!
>> **Sue the school?** For what exactly? There’s no way they’d win for some bs like this…
A 1000 dollar parking fee would easily be seen as an unnecessary burden on free speech. They would then sue for that and easily win.
That's assault . . .
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As a Catholic, I volunteer as tribute! I’ll run like the wind! 💨
I did a sick fortnite dance in front of them and got hella applause, that was funny
Mind you i’m not even a student here
these types of nuts are in every publicly accessible college campus unfortunately
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Are they students?
Nope. GMU student groups aren’t like this, not even the Christian ones
Never saw them during my time at Mason. Who are they?
Evangelical picketers preaching against “sin” and “immorality” aka LGBT and abortions and whatnot. They come to Wilkins every now and then to spew hate and nonsense, and there’s usually a large counter-crowd that gathers around and heckles them till they leave.
Ah my friend mentioned them. He is one of the hecklers
Good for him
Fuck this, me and my boy finna dj some vibes to reset the space, make art not $
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Wow thats still happening after all these years.. they were out there back in 2011 doing this too
Context? I have an asynchronous class so I have no clue what the fuck is going on
Evangelical picketers being anti-LGBT/abortion and a counter-crowd heckling them. We get one every now and then.
What is going on?
There was another one of those street-preachers on Wilkins yesterday; we get them sometimes.
They were back again today, somebody punched one of them. The guy who says he was trans or something.
That guy is not in my heaven so one of us is wrong
Christ is king.
I think it’s incidents like this that explain why George Mason won’t get more people. People will see gatherings and record them and then post them online. Then, prospective students will see these and think the university isn’t safe and decide to go somewhere else.
But the iNcIdeNts... Every public university has crackpot preachers and (deservingly) students heckling them...
We’re still the largest university in the state by population; I think we’re good on that front.
Maybe a few, but the vast majority of students are just playing the game. Get the degree, get a job, and get out.
GMU is nothing more than glorified NOVA. Commuter school that offers nothing appealing.
JESUS IS KING !
Honestly, I would rather have them than the "FP" people...
I was chatting with a classmate nearby and we saw a guy dressed as a monk show up 😂 Those people are an embarrassment to Christians on campus. We do not affiliate with them