Though advertised as an anti-Hannity protest, the rally on the UVSC campus Monday was really a gathering in support of free speech, its organizers said.

"It was an extremely sarcastic rally,'' said UVSC student Matt Gifford, one of the organizers. "It wasn't anti-Hannity at all.''

At its peak, close to 200 people gathered in the courtyard with open mic sessions to express support or contempt for Hannity, Michael Moore and free speech.

"You couldn't tell who anybody was for,'' said UVSC student Jessica Fellman. "I thought it was a good way for people to let out their feelings. It wasn't a serious debate; people just had fun.''

The "freedom of speech'' protest provided a humorous take on the turmoil created by the decision to invite Moore to speak on campus. Moore, director of the anti-Bush film "Fahrenheit 9/11,'' will visit campus on Oct. 20. After much community and student debate, the school also invited Hannity, conservative radio talk show host, who will speak at UVSC on Oct. 11.

Orem resident Kay Anderson, who offered UVSC's student body government $25,000 to cancel the Moore speech, also expressed his views at the rally. Anderson showed the crowd the contract student government made with Moore, a document he obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, he said.

Anderson said the contract "at face value'' was $50,500. The extra fees are for transportation and security, Anderson said.

Anderson said the contract violates state law, since the budget for student government is $50,000. If the student government spends more than $50,000, it is required to post it in the newspaper, or put it in a conspicuous place on campus and hold a public forum at least five days prior to the vote, Anderson told the crowd.

Although student body President Jim Bassi was not at the rally, he is confident that the student government has not broken any rules.

"According to the contract of student government procedure, we haven't done anything wrong,'' Bassi said.

Anderson's announcement at the rally was the first time Bassi heard the allegations; however, Bassi said he is not bothered by it.

"We have nothing to hide,'' Bassi said.

jdoria@sltrib.com