FL College Postpones Talk By Actor Facing UK Rape, Sexual Assault Charges

SARASOTA, FL — New College of Florida has postponed Russell Brand’s scheduled appearance after he was charged with rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom, according to multiple reports.

The 50-year-old English comedian and actor was scheduled to speak at the Sarasota college on Saturday at an event called “Thinking Without Permission: A Conversation with Russell Brand on Free Speech, Censorship, and Cultural Power.” He was set to be interviewed by Mark Famiglio, chair of the Sarasota Film Festival, WFLA said.

The Metropolitan Police earlier this month wrote to Brand, who they believed was in the United States, to tell him he was being charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault for incidents that happened between 1999 and 2005, according to the BBC. He has denied the allegations.

New College told ABC Action News that the school rescheduled the event, moving to a smaller theater on campus and not providing any tickets to the general public.

“At New College, we remain committed to creating spaces for honest and often challenging conversations. Free speech is not a performance — it’s a principle,” Alexandra Nicole Islas, the college’s director of public policy events, wrote in a statement. “While we continue to support the intention behind this event, we also recognize that timing and context matter. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Brand to campus at a future date under conditions that allow for thoughtful and topical engagement from both the public and our academic community.”

After the charges were made public, New College initially said Brand’s appearance would move forward as scheduled before switching gears Wednesday.

In an email to ABC 7, the college said that rescheduling the actor’s presentation had nothing to do with the charges against him.

“This decision follows changes in event logistics, including the unavailability of the previously planned venue, the Sarasota Opera House,” the email said, adding, “In conversation with Russell Brand’s team, all parties have mutually agreed to shift the event to a future date that allows for broader access and public engagement. While the conversation remains important, and possibly never more relevant, it is clear the current media climate is a distraction from the deeper purpose of the event — to explore free speech and civil discourse through open dialogue.”