When controversial speakers show up on campus, emotions run high, and understandably so. On March 25, a man known as “Saint Chris” appeared at Dallas College Richland Campus, which created a large student response. While everyone has a constitutional right to free speech and peaceful demonstration, it’s important for students to understand what their options are and how best to protect themselves and their community in the process.
According to Sgt. Thomas Acevedo, a patrol sergeant at Dallas College, campus police were called around 11 a.m. in response to a disturbance. “We had to come out here and just make sure that people are not becoming unruly or trying to hurt him or vice versa,” Acevedo said. He emphasized that the speaker had a legal right to be there, as long as no laws or college policies were broken.
Regarding safety and engagement, Acevedo was clear. “They can engage if they want to. If they don’t, then it’s fine… as long as they’re respectful in a way.” That respect includes not crossing physical boundaries or inciting violence. At the same time, Acevedo reminded students that they have full autonomy. “They don’t want to listen to him—they don’t have to.”
Still, just because someone is speaking publicly doesn’t mean they deserve your attention. In fact, in situations where hate speech is involved, especially speech designed to provoke, the most powerful response is often no response at all.
Choosing not to engage doesn’t mean staying silent forever; it means choosing your time, place and method wisely. Hate speech thrives on reaction. When crowds gather and emotions boil over, it creates a spectacle that only rewards the provocateur with the attention they came for. Walking away and ignoring the noise instead is often the most effective way to shut that down.
Students are encouraged to report concerns to campus security, notify faculty or reach out to counseling services if they’re feeling overwhelmed or unsafe. If someone is violating campus regulations, such as using oversized signage or disrupting classes, Dallas College officials and campus police will step in, as they did during the recent incident.
