Annoyances unavoidable in free speech arenas

(This letter is in response to Laura Braziel’s Wednesday column, “How to avoid Tate’s many annoyances.”)

Laura Braziel, being a University senior, surely has seen her fair share of demonstrations, fliers and the like in Tate Center Plaza. Tate, along with the entire campus, is a public space where free speech and public dialogue should not only be allowed, but encouraged.

The actual situation is very different. Instead of complaining about being bothered on your way to class, take a second to think about why Tate is constantly full of activists. Tate Plaza and Memorial Hall Plaza are the only places on campus where free speech is allowed. Given this is less than 1 percent of the total space on campus, I can understand why Tate can be a crowded place.

Valerie Barnhart
Senior, Madison
Sociology, Women’s Studies