Cantor Cancels Campus Speech Amid Protests

He pulled out after learning it was open to the public
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 21, 2011 6:02 PM CDT
Eric Cantor Cancels Financial Speech at Wharton After Learning It Was Open to Public
A group chants in the lobby of the Jon M. Huntsman Hall at the Wharton School of Business.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Eric Cantor canceled a planned speech today on the gap between America's rich and poor after learning it was going to be open to the public—and that Occupy protesters planned to show up in force. Cantor had been due to speak at the Wharton Business School in Philadelphia but pulled out when "informed last night by Capitol Police that the University of Pennsylvania was unable to ensure that the attendance policy previously agreed to could be met," reports the National Journal.

Cantor apparently thought it would be open only to students and people associated with the university. Despite his no-show, the protest was still going on, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We want make sure Rep. Cantor knows he can run, but he can't hide," said an organizer. Outside Wharton, chants were going up: "Eric Cantor, can't you see what this movement means to me?" and "Get up, get down, there's a revolution in this town!" The Daily Pennsylvanian has the text of what Cantor was going to say here. Cantor has previously walked back comments referring to OWS protesters as "mobs." (More Eric Cantor stories.)

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