The University of Mississippi has launched a conduct investigation on Saturday following the circulation of a viral video showing a group of students engaging in harassment towards a pro-Palestine protester on campus last week.
Chancellor Glenn Boyce expressed his concern regarding the chants and actions of the counterprotesters on Thursday, emphasizing the presence of hostility and racist overtones. A video captured a disturbing scene where a group of white men stood in opposition to a lone Black woman who was peacefully participating in the protest. The men engaged in offensive behavior, including dancing, hooting, and chanting. Shockingly, one man even went as far as mimicking a monkey, further illustrating the deeply troubling nature of the situation.
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In a recent demonstration, university leaders have acknowledged that certain statements were offensive, hurtful, and completely unacceptable. These statements were accompanied by actions that clearly displayed hostility and racist overtones. Boyce expressed concern over these incidents and emphasized the need for immediate action.
He added, “Let it be clear that individuals who express hateful and discriminatory remarks towards others based on their identity will not find any refuge or solace within this campus.”
Counterprotesters far outnumbered pro-Palestine demonstrators at Ole Miss, as similar campus demonstrations have emerged at hundreds of colleges nationwide in the past few weeks.
Last week, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) shared a video of the harassment, stating that it depicted “Ole Miss taking care of business.”
The NAACP lodged a complaint with congressional leaders on Saturday, urging them to conduct an Ethics Committee investigation into Collins’ conduct.
In a letter, lawmakers expressed their concern over the actions of a House of Representatives member, stating that regardless of the person’s intent, such actions only serve to legitimize and spread racism. They argued that these actions go against the principles of equality and justice that our government is committed to upholding.
According to a statement given to The Hill by NAACP spokesperson Alicia Mercedes, Black America is not willing to tolerate explicit racism from any elected official who has taken an oath to uphold the constitution. Mercedes further expressed that Representative Collins’ choice to openly endorse, and possibly even applaud, these racist insults is not just disgraceful, but also morally wrong.
