Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt is scheduled to speak at Syracuse University next month on the First Amendment.
The school announced Monday that the controversial political advocate will be a guest of the Newhouse School’s Tully Center for Free Speech as part of the center’s Distinguished Speakers Series. In a speech titled “Fighting for the First Amendment,” Flynt will speak on Tuesday, March 5 at 5 p.m. in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium.
Admission to the event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available through the Schine Box Office starting Wednesday for students. Remaining tickets will be released to the general public starting Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Flynt, long a controversial figure and free speech advocate, is expected to talk about his numerous legal battles including the famous HUSTLER magazine vs. Jerry Falwell case in 1988. As portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the movie “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” the porn publisher won the decision that found protecting free speech is more important than protecting public figures’ emotions and reputations.
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of that famous case, which is one of the most important free speech cases in our history,” Tully Center director Roy Gutterman says in a press release. “It will be an honor to be able to talk about this case and others with the man who has fought so hard for these First Amendment principles.”
Those attending are invited to follow and participate in the event’s discussion on Twitter through the hashtag #FightingforFirst.
