The year was 1992. The place was Columbia, South Carolina. A student group at the University of South Carolina invited Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt to talk about censorship. Local politicians were outraged and threatened to block the event unless the school canceled it. But the university stood firm, and Flynt gave his controversial lecture amid tight security. The event has become a symbolic victory for campus free speech.
Flynt was invited to speak on April 26 by Students for Free Speech. The group chose him because he had been a longtime opponent of government censorship, having fought many legal battles over obscenity charges stemming from his publications. The school's president, James P. Barkley, initially said that Flynt would be welcome to come but did not endorse his views. However, state lawmakers pressured him to cancel the appearance, threatening to cut off funding if he allowed it to happen. They argued that letting Flynt speak would encourage "obscenity" and corrupt young people's minds. Some critics also accused the student group of inviting him just to get publicity.
Flynt went ahead with his talk despite protests outside the venue, which included counter-protests from supporters of free speech. He spoke passionately about the importance of freedom of expression and how it applies to art and pornography. His security detail consisted of 30 police officers, some in riot gear, who were there to protect against possible violence or threats. Despite the heavy security, Flynt delivered an impassioned plea for the right to say whatever we want without fear of punishment.
The event became a national news story and a rallying cry for advocates of free speech. It also highlighted the tension between academic freedom and political pressure. Afterward, Barkley issued a statement praising Flynt as an American hero who stood up for democracy. The university still faces criticism today for hosting someone like Flynt, but its commitment to free speech remains strong.