MADISON, Wis. — Michael Knowles’ speech last night at the University of Wisconsin Madison drew no visible protesters or violence, despite the concerns of the school.
This is unlike previous UW Madison events by Knowles’ Daily Wire peers where protesters graffitied monuments, ate pages out of the Bible, and chanted “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Israel has got to go,” outside of a speech by Ben Shapiro, who is Jewish.
The university tried, but then backed down following a legal threat, to assess a security fee of over $4,000 on the event, as recently reported by The College Fix.
“I should thank the UW Madison administration for failing to cancel this lecture,” the Daily Wire commentator said to start his speech, “The Case Against Murder.” The campus Young Americans for Freedom chapter hosted the event along with the national Young America’s Foundation.
The Fix attended the event in person.
During the speech, Knowles detailed the history of abortion in the United States, described why he viewed the definition of the start of life by left-wing advocates as “arbitrary,” and argued abortion should not be allowed at all.
He said it was his view that “wrong to murder little innocent babies through abortion,” raised concerns for the university.
“We have become confused about basic matters of right and wrong,” Knowles said.
Abortion remained largely illegal since the beginning of America, Knowles said.
He went through the history of eugenics and abortion in the United States, including jurisprudence.
The conservative commentator argued for the humanity of all human beings.
“No particular stage between the beginning and the end either confers or negates our humanity,” Knowles said. “We are human the whole time.”
“We know that babies in the womb are human, because they have human parents. If a woman gave birth to a platypus, that would be a great cause for concern,” he said.
“If I was that woman’s husband, I would have a lot of questions.”
‘Maybe’ the protesters are ‘made of cotton candy and can’t go out in the rain’
The College Fix asked Kevin Li, a student at UW-Madison, why he thought there weren’t protesters at this event.
“Maybe they’re made of cotton candy and can’t go out in the rain,” he said, referencing a drizzle outside.
In the same comedic spirit, he later asked Michael Knowles during the Q&A section why he didn’t think a hotdog is a sandwich.
Other students asked questions on topics ranging from the legacy of YAF founder William F. Buckley to whether transgender people should be “subjected to punitive justice” on the basis of what they wear.
The question about transgenderism was posed by Demi, who described himself as “a biological male wearing a dress with a pair of leggings.” Knowles responded, saying, “I would encourage you to behave as a man.”
.@michaeljknowles hits trans student with the truth: “Your masquerading as a woman does infringe on the legitimate rights of other people, the rights of women.” pic.twitter.com/KKa2yKqC0v
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) March 14, 2024
“You are a man, and I don’t know how exactly you came to the point where you think you’re a woman or would very much like to be a woman, but you aren’t, and I don’t think anyone who is affirming your delusion is helping you.”
MORE: Rioters shut down Tomi Lahren speech at University of New Mexico
IMAGE: Young America’s Foundation/YouTube
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