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Just one week after a conservative speaker’s remarks were cut short because of protestors, UNC Chapel Hill welcomed another controversial speaker.
Former six-term Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode was the guest speaker Wednesday night at a lecture sponsored by Youth for Western Civilization.
The protests began early starting with a bit of street theatre by a group of mock cheerleaders. They showed up outside the auditorium where Goode was to speak, and did an obscenity-laced cheer inviting him to leave campus.
Before the event began, the president Youth for Western Civilization expressed hope that Goode's speech wouldn’t be disrupted in the same way that Former Congressman Tom Tancredo’s speech was truncated.
“Considering the crowd, I think it should be relatively peaceful,” said Riley Matheson.
As a large contingent of campus and Chapel Hill Police stood by, Riley said he thought lessons had been learned following the Tancredo incident.
“After all the bad press that UNC got, I think for sure that students will be better behaved,” said Riley.
While Goode tried to speak, disruptions by a handful of protesters resulted in arrests after they were warned that their actions would not be tolerated.
Six people were charged with disorderly conduct by police:
Meredith Ann Dickey, 18
824 Chamberlain Road, Raleigh, NC
Michael Bandes, 25
1714 Jo Mac Road, Orange County, NC
Sarah Monica Johnson, 25
822 Chamberlain Street, Raleigh, NC
Jack Wilson Groves, 18
822 Chamberlain Street, Raleigh, NC
Donald George Yeo, 30
206 Prince Street, Carrboro, NC
Rachel Love Harris, 22
1714 Jo Mac Road, Orange County, NC
None of those arrested Wednesday are currently students or employees of the University.
On Thursday campus police also have arrested Helen Elizabeth Koch, a currently enrolled UNC student, for disorderly conduct during last week's appearance by former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo.
After Goode’s speech, some students expressed frustration at the outbursts.
“I was disgraced and embarrassed that there were people in the audience shouting obscenities, hooting and hollering and not letting him get a word out,” said student Carolyn Mason.
Her friend, student Beth Haley, was also concerned by the disruptive behavior. “I'm sorry that is the side of UNC that he gets to see,” she said.
Despite what occurred, Goode said he wasn't angry.
“It may have been 100 percent civil, but order was maintained throughout the evening and I think most people had the opportunity to come and state their view or ask a question,” he declared.
After the ruckus, the school's chancellor released a statement expressing his regret that six protesters had to be arrested, but said “they gave the school no choice” by ignoring warnings.
And Holden Thorp also said the arrested protesters “don't represent what Carolina stands for when it comes to freedom of expression.”

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