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ASU Cancels Prostitution Symposium

Arizona State University pulled the plug on a symposium discussing the prevention of sex trafficking and prostitution Wednesday night

The program was set to begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening at the university’s downtown campus.

Tonya Norwood, a local spokeswoman for the National Organization for Women, was one of the scheduled panelists. She says she learned about the cancellation just an hour before the scheduled start time.

"We were told that it was too much for campus security. We offered to hire Phoenix PD, but the school declined that and said that they would like us to reschedule this event," Norwood said.

Dennis Hof, the owner of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, a Nevada-based brothel, was also scheduled to speak at the event. He received a similar message.

"I got a call from the event organizer saying there’s a security issue. Well I don’t believe it. I think someone in the city pulled the plug," Hof said.

In a statement, an ASU spokesman revealed that officials withdrew their approval when they learned the event was not sponsored by a university-related organization.

Both Norwood and Hof say they plan to continue the conversation at a future date even if they have to find a different venue.

Carrie Jung was a senior field correspondent from 2014 to 2018.