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Had to choose between confronting a heckler at a campus speaker event or just leaving
At UW Madison last week, this guy kept shouting over a panel about immigration policy. I was sitting there thinking should I say something to shut him down or just walk out like everyone else. I ended up staying and telling him to let the speaker finish, and he actually stopped for a bit. But then security had to step in anyway when he started up again. Has anyone else had to deal with hecklers at these things and found a way that actually works?
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phoenix_bailey15d ago
Three hecklers at a local town hall last month, and I swear it was like watching a bad improv show where everyone forgot their lines. I tried the polite "hey, let the person talk" route and got a lecture about free speech from the guy in the back row. So I just started clapping every time he interrupted, real slow and loud, until the whole room joined in. Security still had to haul him out, but at least we made it weird before they showed up. What even goes through a person's head when they pay money to attend something just to yell over it, am I right?
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drew_jones3115d ago
read an article a while back about how hecklers at campus events are actually getting more organized now, like they coordinate in group chats before showing up. sounds like that guy might have been one of those since he just kept going even after you called him out. personally i think the slow clap thing is funny but it usually just makes them louder because now they're the center of attention. security always ends up being the only real solution with these types, they're not there to have a conversation.
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