Justice Clarence Thomas Delivers Keynote Address at UT Austin
Justice Clarence Thomas visited the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday. He delivered a keynote address at Hogg Memorial Auditorium to a mixed reception.
Inside the auditorium
Thomas received a standing ovation upon taking the stage. UT President Jim Davis introduced him, praising his lifelong commitment to the constitutional experiment and calling him emblematic of the Longhorn spirit.
Focus of the remarks
Thomas said this was his second visit to campus and his first formal invitation. He noted the appearance marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and praised the document’s role in shaping the nation.
He warned that the founding devotion that built the United States risks weakening. He urged citizens to take ownership of the country and guard its traditions.
The justice also expressed support for efforts to revive teaching about Western civilization and the American constitutional tradition. He suggested those efforts could influence reforms at other colleges and universities.
Campus reaction
Outside the auditorium, student demonstrators marched across campus. Members of Austin Students for a Democratic Society held signs and chanted, saying the invitation felt like a betrayal.
Georgia Schmitt, speaking for the group, said many students reject Thomas’s record. She described the decision to host him as embarrassing for the university.
Controversial background
Thomas’s confirmation in 1991 followed accusations of sexual harassment from Anita Hill. He denied the allegations and won Senate confirmation by a 52–48 vote.
In 2023, reporting by ProPublica raised questions about undisclosed gifts he received from benefactors. Those revelations renewed scrutiny of his conduct outside the court.
After the event
At the program’s close, the university presented Thomas with a UT jersey. The visit left campus divided, with applause inside and protests outside.
Sources: Information from interviews conducted by Filmogaz.com’s Marco Bitonel.
