Alabama university reneges on historian’s speaking invitation after anti-abortion protest

An Alabama university reneged on an invitation for historian Jon Meacham to speak next week following anti-abortion protests from students.

Samford University, which is a Christian institution, invited Meacham to give a lecture on the current state of civility and discourse in the U.S. as part of a series of events leading up to the inauguration of the school’s president Beck Taylor.

In a message to campus on Wednesday, Taylor said that many at the school recommended the lecture be postponed, including “elements of Samford’s Student Government Association.”

Over 1,000 students signed a Change.org petition demanding the school retract the invitation because Meacham is “significantly involved with the Planned Parenthood organization.” The petition said that he speaks at the organization’s fundraising events, most recently speaking at an event for Planned Parenthood South Texas.

The petition said his beliefs and values do “not align with those of Samford University, as it is a Southern Baptist institution.”

“To invite Mr. Meacham back to Samford at a more appropriate time to an event not so closely connected to the symbolism of the inauguration seems to me to be a wise path forward,” Taylor said. “Therefore, my office will reach out to Mr. Meacham to schedule a date in the future when he will come and talk with our community.”

Meacham is presidential historian, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and frequently commentates for MSNBC.

When Samford announced Meacham’s visit, it referred to him as a “skilled orator with a depth of knowledge about politics, religion and current affairs,” AL.com reported.

The school also said his work “examines the present moment in American politics and life by looking back at critical times in U.S. history when hope overcame division and fear,” according to the outlet.

Taylor said that many at the university “erroneously” assumed that inviting Meacham for his lecture represented the university endorsing his stance on abortion. He added that it was “vitally important” that next week’s events bring the university together.

“Unexpectedly, Mr. Meacham’s planned lecture has become a divisive issue, one that takes attention away from our opportunity to celebrate Samford. I regret that this has happened,” Taylor said.