MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Chancellor for the University of Mississippi promised an investigation into student conduct after racial slurs were used during a pro-Palestine demonstration Thursday.
One student has been removed as a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity after he was accused of making racial gestures.
Riley Thrasher, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, says Thursday’s pro-Palestine demonstration, filled with racial slurs and gestures from some “counter-protestors,” did great harm to the university’s efforts to erase its troubled past.
“I think that was horrifically uncalled for and set us back 60 years,” said Thrasher. “Anytime something like that happens I think it just shows how easily people fall back into place in that hatred here, so I think we really have to stay on our toes and make sure to hold each other accountable.”
The protest against the war in Gaza took place not far from this statue of James Meredith, the first Black man to integrate the university.
Some students who witnessed the chaos are still in shock at how quickly and casually racial slurs were used.
“Everyone should be able to speak out for what they want without, I guess, fear of being ridiculed and mocked and stuff to the way that they were. It was kind of crazy that would happen,” said UM senior Olivia Womack.
At one point, one of the white hecklers could be seen making monkey noises and gestures at a Black woman protesting the war.
An investigation revealed the student was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and was removed from the fraternity’s membership.
Chancellor Glenn Boyce pledged disciplinary action could be coming against more students.
(Stacey J. Spiehler via AP) 
(Stacey J. Spiehler via AP) 
Photos Courtesy of University of Mississippi Journalism students 
Photos Courtesy of University of Mississippi Journalism students 
Photos Courtesy of University of Mississippi Journalism students 
Photos Courtesy of University of Mississippi Journalism students
One University of Mississippi junior says they are glad someone is being held accountable.
“He shouldn’t have done that. His actions don’t speak for the University or anyone else in the group on either side,” they said.
Jacob Batte, University of Mississippi Director of Media Relations, released a statement on Thursday evening, stating that no one was arrested during the protest.
“As a public institution, the University of Mississippi is committed to supporting the rights of our students, faculty and employees to express their views in a respectful manner and to assemble peacefully as enshrined in the First Amendment. While today’s demonstration was passionate and several protesters and counter-protesters received warnings from law enforcement over their actions, there were no arrests, no injuries reported, and the demonstration ended peacefully.”
On Monday, we again reached out to the University’s media relations as well as Oxford Police, but have not gotten a response.