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Russell Brand Scheduled to Speak on “Censorship” at US College Amidst Rape Charge
Comedian and actor Russell Brand is set to make his first public appearance since being charged in the UK with rape and sexual assault. He is scheduled to deliver a speech addressing “censorship” at a college in the United States. The 49-year-old performer faces serious allegations, including one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. Despite these charges, Brand will reportedly participate as a guest speaker at New College, engaging in discussions on social and political issues as part of their Socratic Stage series. The event, titled “Thinking without Permission: A Conversation with Russell Brand on Free Speech, Censorship, and Cultural Power,” is slated to be part of the college’s Spring series.
New College Affirms Commitment to Free Speech
New College confirmed to TMZ that Brand’s appearance is scheduled for Saturday as part of the event’s Spring series. Other speakers expected to participate include Tom Homan, formerly US President Donald Trump’s border Czar, and Alan Dershowitz, an American lawyer and professor.
College Statement on Brand’s Appearance
Alexandra Nicole Islas, Director of Public Policy Events at New College, stated to TMZ, “In an era where public pressure frequently aims to silence rather than foster dialogue, New College of Florida is reaffirming its commitment to providing a platform for open inquiry, not suppressing it.”
Islas elaborated, “Following thorough deliberation, we have decided to proceed with Russell Brand’s scheduled appearance as part of a broader discussion on society, culture, and free speech.”
She further added that this decision “reflects our dedication to civil discourse and the conviction that even challenging conversations merit space in the public sphere.”
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Islas clarified that while the “justice system independently addresses other matters,” the institution aims to “ensure a space” where subjects such as “cancel culture and free speech” can be examined separately.
Details of the Charges Against Brand
The charges against Brand relate to alleged incidents of rape and sexual assault spanning a seven-year period. These charges emerged following investigative reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches program and The Sunday Times newspaper.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the charges involve four women and pertain to incidents alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2005.
Brand has previously denied the accusations, asserting that all of his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual.”