An altercation on Sanford Mall on August 26 led to an arrest and has intensified a decades-long discussion regarding the presence of on-campus preachers and free speech on public college campuses.
During the incident, senior marketing major Trafford Hill was waving a sex toy in the face of street preacher Buddy Fisher. Hill stated he had done this before, but this time, it concluded with him being tackled to the ground by another student. According to Hill, the conflict began when he handed the sex toy to the crowd of students that had gathered around. Junior business major Jack Godwin stated that a person, unaffiliated with the preacher or the crowd, took the toy and threw it into a nearby trash can. Hill then confronted this passerby, asking for his property back, before the other man lunged at Hill and took him to the ground. A video circulating on social media shows the two men exchanging blows before Godwin intervened to break up the fight. No serious injuries were reported following the altercation.
Booking records from Watauga County confirm the arrest of the bystander, who is also a student at App State, according to university records, and declined to comment. Hill acknowledged his actions, saying, "I know it's immature, and I know it's ridiculous. So is going out and being a preacher."
Fisher has been preaching on App State’s campus for more than 16 years, with videos on his YouTube channel dating back to 2010. In many of his videos, Fisher can be seen among students, often shouting to be heard over protestations and counterarguments. In a recent video posted August 28, Fisher warned a group of students about divine judgment, stating, "God does not have a problem with wiping out 99% of a population when less than 1% is willing to live holy and obediently." Fisher clarified that his goal is not to persuade people to his personal beliefs, but to push them toward Christianity as a whole. He stated, "My job and the purpose of the banners and the t-shirt is not to save anyone. The purpose of the banners and the t-shirt is to make them feel anything except apathy." He added that by feeling something, individuals might engage in conversation, where change can occur. Reactions to his speeches on campus vary, with some students praying or discussing scripture, while others debate and argue, as was observed on August 26.
The assault against Hill has heightened the debate over what is permitted under the university’s free speech policy and how students may respond to views they disagree with. As a public institution, App State is bound by First Amendment protections, similar to any other government entity in the United States. Evan Ringel, an assistant professor of media law at App State and a First Amendment scholar, explained that this inherently limits how the university can restrict speech or access on its campus. The university cannot restrict speech unless it constitutes threats, targeted harassment, discrimination, violence, or violates specific time, place, and manner restrictions. Additional details on App State’s free speech policies are available on its website.
Despite the conflicting opinions surrounding the incident, neither Hill nor Fisher overstepped their rights in their respective methods of free speech. Ringel noted that Hill intended to communicate a message with his actions, classifying it as protected speech under the First Amendment. Hill expressed his belief that Fisher is acting within his First Amendment rights and should be able to express his beliefs freely, but he conveyed frustration with Fisher’s methods. Hill stated, "He wants a reaction. And the thing is, you can get all mad at them, and you know it doesn’t really do much. So if nothing I can do changes things, I might as well make this situation as ridiculous as f—ing possible."
In an annual notice sent via email on September 10, App State’s Free Speech Responsible officers Jamie Parson and Jeff Cathey reaffirmed the campus’s dedication to upholding freedom of speech and fostering dialogue. The message read, in part, that as a public institution, the campus contains open forums where constitutionally protected speech occurs, and therefore, views expressed may not always align with institutional values. The university stated its commitment to maintaining a welcoming community through open dialogue, balanced programming, and robust support systems.
