Presumptuous Politics

The American Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday tweeted out support for free speech after Ann Coulter cancelled her speech at the University of California, Berkley, over security concerns.
The ACLU said in a Twitter post that “the heckler’s veto of Coulter’s Berkeley speech is a loss for the 1^st Amendment. We must protect speech on campus. Even when hateful.”
In an email to The Associated Press, the conservative pundit wrote "Berkeley canceled" when asked to confirm her planned appearance on the campus Thursday. She added, however, "I have my flights, so I thought I might stroll around the graveyard of the First Amendment."
Coulter was invited by the campus Republicans to speak at Berkeley. UC Berkeley officials say they are bracing for possible violence on campus whether the conservative pundit comes to speak or not.
University officials say they are preparing for possible violence on campus whether Coulter comes to speak or not.
The conservative pundit had hinted she might cancel her planned appearance Thursday amid growing concerns of violence. She told Florida-based radio station 850 WFTL on Wednesday, "I still wanted to do it but I'm running out of options here."
Campus spokesman Dan Mogulof said UC Berkeley officials had not heard directly from Coulter on Wednesday. But he said even if she cancels, some groups that support or oppose her could still turn out on campus.
He said police were taking necessary steps to protect the campus but he declined to elaborate.