An Israeli-Hamas war demonstration at the University of Mississippi turned ugly this week after one counter-demonstrator appeared to make monkey noises and gestures toward a black student during a raucous far-right-backed rally. Ta. A member of the House of Representatives from Georgia.
“Ole Miss cares about jobs,” Republican Rep. Mike Collins wrote on social platform X on Friday, along with a link to a video showing racist jeers.
The Associated Press left voicemail messages Friday at Mr. Collins' offices in Georgia and Washington, and sent an email to a spokesperson seeking clarification on what Mr. Collins meant. There was no immediate response.
The jeers provoked sharp criticism both on and off campus.
“Students were calling for an end to genocide. They faced racism.” James M. Thomasa sociology professor at the University of Mississippi, wrote on Friday X.
Cornell Pastor William BrooksThe former president and CEO of the NAACP and professor at Harvard University's John F. It doesn't mean 'walking with Israel' or 'walking with Israel,''' he wrote to X. Liberate Palestine. ” This is a protest against theatrical racism. ”
Collins, who was first elected to Congress in 2022, has made several social media posts criticizing campus protests.
No one was arrested at Thursday's demonstration at the University of Mississippi, where hecklers vastly outnumbered war protesters. According to AP tally, More than 2,400 people arrested Incidents have occurred on 46 U.S. university campuses since April 17 during anti-war demonstrations.
The student newspaper is Daily Mississippian, reported that about 30 protesters on the Oxford campus claimed to be Palestinian UMiss. Video and photos from the event show the protesters were in a grassy area near the main library building, which was cordoned off by a fence set up by campus security.
They chanted “Free, Free Palestine” and carried Palestinian flags and signs with slogans such as “Stop the Genocide” and “US Bombs Take Palestinian Lives.”
Student journalist Stacey J. Spieler captured a video showing campus police officers and the dean of students standing between anti-war demonstrators and hecklers. After a black woman protesting the war got into a heated exchange with several white hecklers, one of the men made monkey-like gestures at her and made noise.
In 2022-2023, about 76% of the university's students were white and about 11% were black, according to the latest data available on the university's website.
University of Mississippi President Glenn Boyce said the university is committed to letting people express their opinions. He said some of the comments made on campus Thursday were “offensive and unacceptable.”
In a separate statement Friday, Boyce said one “student conduct investigation” had been opened and university leaders were “working to determine whether additional incidents are warranted.” .
“Let me be clear: People who say horrible things to others for who they are will not find refuge or solace on this campus,” he said.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves reposted a video on X showing counterprotesters singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on campus.
“It warms my heart,” Reeves wrote. “I love Mississippi!”