COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Richard Spencer, the controversial alt-right movement leader, arrived to Texas A&M Tuesday and was greeted by protesters.
At a press conference before his speech on campus, Spencer said his main objective is to have a conversation about what he calls 'the preservation of the European identity."
He also denied his movement supports Nazism.
"No, it's simply not true," said Spencer. "Again, a movement that is trapped in the past is going nowhere. We can't be that. It's the equivalent of civil war reenactors or something. It's just not going to work. The only way that the alt-right is going to go forward is if we're grounded right now. If we're speaking to people in a way that they understand."
Spencer believes the alt-right movement is relevant today and resonates with a lot of people. However, during his speech at Texas A&M Tuesday night, many people were offended by his words.
Spencer claimed white people conquered America and it belongs to them. He added that white people shaped the country socially, culturally and politically and they must do their best to protect their European identity.
Even though many were against Spencer, some people in the crowd appeared to support him.
The clashing between the two groups nearly got physical at times and law enforcement was present in the room.
However, elsewhere on campus protests did turn physical and law enforcement had to take control of the situation.
Protests outside of the building and around campus were cleared by police as of 10 p.m.