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Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren to speak at ECU

Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren is scheduled to speak at East Carolina University in April.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. — Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren, who hosts a show on Glenn Beck's The Blaze, is scheduled to speak at East Carolina University in April despite disagreement from some community members.

ECU's chapter of Turning Points USA, a conservative activist network, is scheduled to host Lahren on April 17, according to the group's Facebook page. The decision to bring Lahren to campus apparently drew criticism because of her views.

"We understand that many community members disagree with the views of our speaker, Tomi Lahren, and are taking into consideration each dissenting opinion," the group wrote in a statement after the announcement that Lahren would speak on campus.

"Our chapter of Turning Points USA has a variety of personalities, backgrounds, and opinions. For this reason, we have chosen to invite her to campus, as we believe in the concepts of free speech, tolerance, and diversity of thought," the statement read.

Lahren was absent from her show "Tomi" days after declaring her support for abortion rights during an appearance on ABC's "The View" last week.

The 24-year-old explained that she was for abortion rights because as a proponent of limited government, it would be hypocritical of her to say she thinks the government "should decide what women do with their bodies."

The comments drew criticism from colleagues, including Beck. Beck took issue with Lahren's argument on his radio show Monday, suggesting it lacked "intellectual honesty."

Lahren didn't host her show on The Blaze on Monday night. She alluded to her absence on Twitter, writing: "So I've got some 'me' time tonight. Anything good on TV?"

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