UW-Whitewater scheduled Ward Churchill to speak months ago about racism towards Native Americans. But since then he's become a controversial figure, more well known for an essay he wrote comparing 9/11 victims to “little Nazis.”

UW–Whitewater decided to keep its invite to Churchill, despite an outpouring of negative reaction from alumni and students. Security is tight and there are sheriff's deputies present in case anything gets out of hand.

College republicans planned a vigil for the 9/11 victims and a protest of what they call Churchill's “hate speech.”

Other students held a rally in support of Churchill's right to free speech.

UW-Whitewater officials say they kept the invite in support of free speech but only because they could provide security.

Churchill speaks at 7 p.m. and the speech is expected to last an hour and a half.