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A spirit that is not afraid

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Freedom of speech is alive and well

How the worm has turned.

In 1970 (1969?) when I was a senior I was a member of a "radical" group (sorry, I can't remember the name) on campus that had invited the Reverend William Sloan Coffin, chaplain at Yale University to speak on campus. The administration refused to release the student funds to pay Rev. Coffin. Our organization contacted Morris Dees who represented us in the court of Judge Frank M. Johnson in Montgomery. We won the case and Rev. Coffin spoke to a small but enthusiastic group on campus.

I'm pleased to see that freedom of speech is still alive and well Auburn. In my day the Rev. Coffin was too liberal for some but he was able to speak. I do not endorse the views of the latest "rabble rouser" on campus but do support his right to be heard. If we no linger tolerate free speech on our campuses, we are all lost.

Leslie Norris Beetley is a 1970 graduate. 


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