Photos: The University Of Florida Prepares For Richard Spencer Speech

The University of Florida in Gainesville prepared for a Thursday afternoon speech given by noted white nationalist Richard Spencer Thursday.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Alachua County, where the college is located. The move gives law enforcement more latitude to cooperate for potentially violent protests.

University President Kent Fuchs said that he thinks sparking violence will be one of Spencer’s aims, in order to galvanize the alt-right movement and gain sympathy as a group with suppressed voices.

“Now, for the first time in the history of our nation, very different racist groups are coming together under one person who speaks their language and their words and speaks their views on racism and white supremacy,” said Fuchs to USA Today. “They’re coming to campus with the intentions of confrontation and with the intention of having all of us repeat their view on the world.”

The event will only have 700 tickets, and they will be distributed 90 minutes before the event is slated to happen.

Spencer is the president of the National Policy Institute who is helping put the event on. Cameron Padgett is an organizer for the group and told USA Today that security should be up to law enforcement and warned of Antifa violence.

“I don't say that's going to create a security issue — that's their job,” said Padgett. “If Antifa wants to show up and make it a security issue then start arresting them and do your job.”

Antifa stands for anti-fascist, its an amorphous group that has counter-protest a number of alt-right events.

The university has been preparing for the event for weeks and hopes to avoid any confrontations. State and local police will be on hand to help secure the campus.

The university has set up to space for pro- and anti- Spencer groups to demonstrate. Police have banned a number of item on campus, according to CNN, including torches, masks, weapons and athletic equipment that could potentially become a weapon.

Officials expect large protests against Spencer.