Story By: Brayden George

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo’s Turning Point USA chapter’s “Prove me Wrong” event with speaker Kenneth Bryan Dawson of 1819 news has officially been rescheduled for Thursday, March 5. 

Originally the event was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12, but was postponed on Feb. 10. Students and faculty were made aware of the postponement via an official UM News email.

The email cited, “increased publicity surrounding [the] event,” saying “the University decided to reschedule the event at a time and location conducive to providing additional safety and security precautions.” 

University of Montevallo Police Chief Brian Prady said the decision came after some “comments that raised some concerns” from people not affiliated with the University.

Vice President of UM’s TPUSA chapter Clay Callahan said, “There was death threats made to Bryan Dawson, that was relayed to us. And we knew that the Montevallo Police were aware of it. We knew that the FBI was aware of it.”

Prady said that after consulting with other agencies, the decision “to postpone so we could regroup, utilize some more assets … to try to make sure we covered all angles that we needed to.

Preparations for March 5

The event was rescheduled for March 5, three weeks after the originally scheduled event. This delay allowed UMPD the opportunity it needed to create a more in depth safety plan and recruit the assistance of outside agencies.

“The university is doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.”
– Brian Prady, University of Montevallo Chief of Police

Prady said the original security plan was to cover the event with solely UMPD police officers, which would have included five or six officers handling the security for the event.

Additionally, TPUSA and Bryan Dawson would have both have had security teams on-site, according to Callahan.

With the rescheduling of the event, UMPD is able to bring in additional officers from other agencies. Prady said working with other agencies will allow UMPD to utilize technology that they don’t have access to, as well as keeping everyone on the same page in the event on an emergency.

Some of the agencies working alongside UMPD for planning and event security include:

  • Montevallo Police Department
  • Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
  • Montevallo Fire Department
  • Helena Police Department

It is unclear whether any other agencies, including TPUSA and Bryan Dawson’s security team, will assist in day-of-event security.

Tuesday afternoon, officers were outside of Farmer Hall performing preliminary security checks.

Prady says he anticipates demonstrations from those who disagree with the event, citing the student walkout on Feb. 12. He encouraged students to participate in demonstrations if they felt inclined to, just asking that everything remain peaceful.

“The university is doing everything we can to keep everyone safe,” Prady said. “Come out and be seen and make your opinion known, but do it in a respectful manner and you’ll get the same from us.”

Callahan also encouraged students to attend. “Make your own decision,” he said. “Don’t let other people, on either side, make it for you.”

“Know we’re gonna have security,” Callahan added. “Know that, your safety was of utmost importance and that you will be safe at this event.”

The event will take place Thursday, March 5, from 12-2 p.m. on Farmer Patio.

This is a developing story. We’ll post updates as they become available.