Controversial University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill addressed an audience of more than a thousand during an appearance on the Boulder campus on Tuesday night.

School officials had canceled the speech, citing security reasons, but put it back on after Churchill filed a lawsuit in federal court. The crowd was filled with Churchill supporters, the Associated Press said.

"I do not work for the taxpayers of the state of Colorado. I do not work for (Gov.) Bill Owens. I work for you," he was quoted as saying. American Indian Movement activist Russell Means defended Churchill and his claims of Indian heritage.

"We are the only ethnic group in the world that has to prove our blood like dogs," Means was quoted as saying.

In an interview with the AP, Churchill said he would not retract nor apologize for an essay that linked the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to Nazis. He said he would "explain it better."

Get the Story:
Prof: Never back down (The Denver Post 2/9)
Churchill supporters lash out at the media (The Daily Camera 2/9)
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Churchill defends essay (AP 2/9)
Thousands attend speech by embattled Colorado professor (AP 2/8)
CU relents on canceled Churchill speech (The Denver Post 2/8)
Text of CU statement today on Churchill speech (The Denver Post 2/8)
Speaker Churchill's visit debated at UW-Whitewater (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 2/9)

Churchill's 9/11 Essay:
"Some People Push Back" On the Justice of Roosting Chickens (Pockets of Resistance September 2001)

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Churchill Controversy: More opinions and views (2/7)
Marty Two Bulls Cartoon: Ward Churchill's Indian Kit (2/7)
UKB: Professor never proved Cherokee heritage (2/4)
Column: Churchill asked why we were attacked (2/4)
Professor angry at Jodi Rave for questioning heritage (2/3)
Speech featuring controversial professor canceled (2/2)
College professor quits post over 9/11-Nazi essay (2/1)
College professor faces action for 9/11-Nazi essay (1/31)
Professor sparks controversy with 9/11-Nazi link (1/28)