‘Ole Miss’ scholar seen on video making monkey noises in the direction of Black girl throughout pro-Palestine protests | EUROtoday

The newest headlines from our reporters throughout the US despatched straight to your inbox every weekday

Your briefing on the newest headlines from throughout the US

A surprising video revealed a white scholar counter-protester on the University of Mississippi racistly mocking a Black protester by making monkey noises at her throughout ongoing Gaza solidarity demonstrations.

The confrontation caught on digicam Thursday was filmed and posted on X,  previously Twitter, by Stacey J. Spiehler, who defined that the counter-protester wearing a pale blue t-shirt was leaping up and down, hooting like a monkey towards a protester who was live-streaming on her cellphone.

Referring to Black folks as monkeys is a recognized racist trope courting again lots of of years and used to justify slavery and Jim Crow regulation.

“It was easily 10-1 counter-protesters to protesters,” Spiehler informed The Independent. She stated the lady, a scholar, stepped outdoors the protected barricade and was taking video on her cellphone.

As the lady approaches the group of male college students, chants of “lock her up” could possibly be heard.

“Counter-protesters were throwing things. I saw half a chicken parm sandwich on the ground, a carrot,” Spiehler stated. “She was brave, holding her own and had more intelligence and empathy in her little finger than that whole crowd. Whether or not you agree with her, she embodies UM.”

The video surfaced as ongoing pro-Palestinian protests at a number of school campus throughout the nation proceed over the Israel-Gaza struggle.

In an announcement to The Independent on Friday, a spokesperson for Ole Miss wrote: “Statements were made at the demonstration on our campus Thursday that were offensive and inappropriate. We cannot comment specifically about that video, but the university is looking into reports about specific actions. Any actions that violate university policy will be met with appropriate action.”

The spokesperson declined to remark particularly about that video.

In an extra twist, Republican legislator Rep. Mike Collins from Georgia, reposted the video displaying the racist slur and wrote “Ole Miss taking care of business.”

Other politicians weighed in. “This is a video showing anti-Blackness,” Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner wrote, reposting Collins’ submit. “This is a sitting Congressman applauding it.”

Rob Smith, a U.S. veteran of the Iraq War, wrote, “An elected official in the House of Representatives should absolutely not be tweeting out this video with this caption. This stuff is what makes the Republican Party absolutely toxic to the vast majority of Black Americans. This is so not the way.”

On Thursday, dozens college students have been evacuated off of the University of Mississippi campus after a pro-Palestine demonstration escalated to a shouting match between the protesters and counter-protestors.