AUSTIN, Texas — University Democrats at the University of Texas at Austin will hold a Wednesday event featuring political commentator Hasan Piker in a 466-seat auditorium after the university declined requests to move the program to larger campus venues, organizers said.
University Democrats said they will refund tickets for thousands of people who registered for the event but will allow only students who registered early to attend because of the venue’s limited capacity.
The student group said it requested larger venues and claimed those spaces remained available. Organizers also said the event has faced political pressure and threats and requires significant security costs.
University Democrats accused UT Austin of restricting free speech and earlier this month said university leaders were attempting to “sabotage” the event.
The university has pointed to its existing policies governing speech, expression and assembly on campus.
Piker remains scheduled to speak at UT Austin on Wednesday.