Controversial campus visitor draws in crowds
Brother Jim Gilles speaks to students in a public forum on Southeastern’s campus Monday, Oct 28.
October 28, 2019
Around 11:45 a.m. on Monday, October 28, Brother Jim Gilles and another man set up outside of the John Massey School of Business/Russel Building. Students quickly gathered around to listen and watch his public speech. He preached on “topics of sin” including drug use, homosexuality and drinking. The crowd of onlookers continued to grow as his presence was broadcasted on social media by the students.
His choice of topics is what draws students and onlookers to stand and watch him. Known for his enraging taunts, Gilles was quoted saying, “You sinners don’t love anyone but yourselves. You love to shack up, fornicate, and get laid all the time,” to “I haven’t smoked weed since the 80s.”
In the past, Gilles has been involved in many lawsuits against colleges, universities and cities that have attempted to limit or stop his speeches all together. Campus Police came to monitor the situation, but could not interfere on the grounds of OK Senate Bill 361.
The bill passed on April 29 of this year requires, “the outdoor areas of campuses of public institutions of higher education be deemed public forums for the campus community and prohibits public institutions of higher education from creating “free speech zones” or other designated areas of campus outside of which expressive activities are prohibited,” according to oklegislature.gov. Gilles’ speeches fall under that jurisdiction, allowing him to peacefully speak to students and faculty.
Mitchell Emberson, Student Life Director, provided students with Freedom of Expression information cards. They explained what students’ options were as far as assembly, interaction with Gilles, or other future speakers and the fine print of the University’s stance on “free speech zones.” Students had the right to listen, walk away or engage so long as it was lawful and did not limit Gilles’ activities.
According to his Wikipedia page, Gilles is an evangelist who travels to college campuses across the country to spread his message. “He has preached on over 335 college and University campuses in 49 states and 6 countries.”
*Updates to come*
Jim Gilles • Nov 1, 2019 at 9:27 am
A shout out to the current Administration for their professional handling of Monday’s open forum. That is the way that it used to be, on most campi, back in the 80s and 90s.
Last time, under President Burrage, my visit to campus was a disgrace, not only to free speech rights but to human dignity.
You had faculty and security instructing students to park their vehicles in the road and then to rev their engines while blasting “Hells Bells” and “Highway To Hell” out their open windows.
The security moved me from the higher position, by the tree, where I preached at this week, to the grade level area by the park benches. That allowed the worked up students closer access to the three of us. Thus causing the security extreme difficulty in keeping control of the crowd.
Last time, it seemed as if the University wanted to create an out of control situation so as to create an excuse to ask us to stop after only about an hour or so. That is known as the unconstitutional “Heckler’s Veto,” which is so often used to stifle free speech on campi. The “Heckler’s Veto” allows those, who are opposed to a speaker’s topic, to cause such a disruption that the speaker is removed instead of the “Hecklers” being removed or subdued.
“Heckler’s Vetos” were being used, quite effectively, around the country, on many college campi, against Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, Ann Coulter and Milo Yiannopoulos.
Thank God for President Donald Trump and his Executive Order threatening to pull financial support from campi that hinder free speech. Another thank you to Oklahoma Governor Stitt for signing legislation that, not only makes each and every campus of each and every state institution of higher learning a traditional public forum, but also puts the burden for keeping the peace and not allowing “Heckler’s Vetos” upon the Administrations as well.
John McGlone • Oct 31, 2019 at 6:54 pm
Hey great reporting! Not many like the campus preachers but fewer still tell the truth of them.
Larry Street Preacher • Oct 29, 2019 at 11:46 am
Excellent example of fair and balanced reporting
Thank You!
Roger David • Oct 29, 2019 at 10:47 am
I just wanted to comment on the very balanced, well written article I just read. It was not written with any open bias and the information was accurate and concise. It is rare I get to see such integrity in media anymore and this was refreshing. Thank you.