LOGAN, Utah – The FBI is investigating terrorist threats made against a Utah college and a scheduled guest speaker, a known Canadian-American feminist.
Anita Sarkeesian, a media critic and blogger, was scheduled to speak at Utah State University on the portrayal of women in video games Wednesday.
However, threats came to light after a number of personnel at the university received an email regarding Sarkeesian’s scheduled speech.
The email contained threats against Sarkeesian and those who attend her presentation, according to a press release from USU.
Public safety staff was already making security preparations for the event since the speaker had received similar threats in the past.
While the presentation was set to continue, Sarkeesian canceled the speech after she was informed weapons would be allowed at the venue, according to a Utah State Facebook post.
The post states that in accordance with the State of Utah law regarding the carrying of firearms, if a person has a valid concealed firearm permit and is carrying a weapon, they are permitted to have it at the venue.
Utah State police is coordinating the threat information with other local, state and federal agencies including the Utah Statewide Information and Analysis Center, the FBI Cyber Terrorism Task Force and the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit.
Business at the university will be conducted as scheduled Wednesday.
