Prominent conservative speaker Ben Shapiro will address UF students on April 3 about differences between left and right ideologies in politics.
Shapiro will be paid $20,000 for his visit. Accent Speakers Bureau will cover $15,000, while the UF chapter of Young Americans for Freedom will pay for the remaining $5,000, said Accent Chairman Mike Greenberg.
“Believe it or not, he’s probably the most requested speaker that we’ve had via our website and Facebook suggestions,” said Greenberg, a UF political science senior.
The event will be held at the University Auditorium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Shapiro will speak for about 30 to 40 minutes, and then a 30-minute Q&A will follow.
Only 750 tickets are available due to auditorium capacity, Greenberg said. Beginning April 3 at noon, UF students can get up to two free tickets, each with their Gator 1 Card at the University Auditorium box office. At 6 p.m., the general public will be able to get tickets if there are any left.
Greenberg said Shapiro will talk about national politics on college campuses and the differences between liberal beliefs versus conservative beliefs in government, such as socialism versus capitalism.
“I hope it elevates the level of discourse on campus about things that we either don’t talk about or don’t talk about enough,” Greenberg, 21, said.
Jarod Atchley, a UF acting freshman, said even though his ideals are liberal, he’s considering going to Shapiro’s talk.
“It’s important to see the other side and what their perspective is,” the 19-year-old said. “It’s important for us to understand each other.”
Greenberg said he hopes all attendees are respectful with one another at the event.
“We really hope all students take away something whether they disagree or agree with him,” Greenberg said.
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Ben Shapiro
