Patriotic frat boys bravely protected an American flag on the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill campus even as pro-Palestinian protesters threw water bottles at them.
Images emerged on social media showing the group of male students from the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity holding the Stars and Stripes during a protest Tuesday. Pro-Palestinian groups threw water bottles at the group holding the flag while masked protesters shouted at them.
One person was seen carrying an Israeli flag while others threw objects and water at him while the group held the flag high so it would not touch the ground.
Despite the group’s best efforts, protesters eventually managed to raise the Palestinian flag on the Chapel Hill campus.
Still, the men’s action drew attention online with a GoFundMe set up for the fraternity that has raised more than $186,000.
Students at the University of North Carolina are seen trying to keep hordes of pro-Palestinian protesters away from the American flag.
Footage emerged on social media showing the group of male students clinging to the Stars and Stripes during a protest on Tuesday.
One person was seen carrying an Israeli flag while others threw objects and water at him while the group held the flag high so it would not touch the ground.
“We are overwhelmed by you glorious, patriotic Americans who value good beer and good times,” the fraternity wrote on GoFundMe.
‘We are in contact with multiple fraternity leaders whose members helped defend the flag, including Alpha Epsilon Pi and others, as well as Pi Kappa Psi. Our thanks go out to all of them and we will update our fans on what’s coming next.”
After the American flag was replaced with the Palestinian flag, UNC Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts responded by personally walking through the protest and removing the Palestinian flag. ABC11 reported.
Roberts stood guard as he replaced the American flag on the flagpole and applauded as the workers did so. Footage taken shows Roberts applauding while some students can be heard chanting ‘USA! USA! USA!’
Not long after the flag was restored, the decision was made to remove it, fold it into its traditional triangle shape, and retire it.
The flagpole was then emptied, causing protesters who had gathered to disperse.
Following the chaos, classes were canceled for the rest of the day and non-mandatory operations were suspended.
Police intervened to clear a camp and detained some of the protesters in a tense standoff.
Pro-Palestinian protesters clash with police after replacing an American flag with a Palestinian flag on Tuesday.
Pro-Palestinian groups threw water bottles at the group holding the flag while masked protesters shouted at them.
Despite the group’s best efforts, protesters eventually managed to raise the Palestinian flag on the Chapel Hill campus.
Workers set up barricades at Polk Place at the University of North Carolina on May 1.
The American flag is surrounded by a temporary barrier at the University of North Carolina’s Polk Place on May 1 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The daily tar heel reported that 36 protesters were detained inside the camp.
Six of those 36 were later arrested and transported to the local magistrate’s office, the outlet said, and all six were charged with criminal trespassing before being released. The university said three of those arrested were students, while the other three were not affiliated with the school.
In a statement, Roberts said: “Over the past few months, we have spoken regularly and respectfully with protesters on our campus, consistently supporting their right to assemble and express their views.
‘We have made it clear that students and community members can gather and make their voices heard, but University policies must be followed.
‘During the events of recent weeks, student protesters respected our policies.
‘That changed on Sunday afternoon when protesters, including outside activists, backtracked on their commitment to comply with these policies, including invading classroom buildings overnight.
Protesters at the City College of New York had raised a Palestinian flag on campus, which officers replaced with the Stars and Stripes last night.
Footage taken on the ground shows an officer tossing the flag aside before raising Old Glory on the flagpole.
“This group has made it clear that they will no longer even consider our requests to respect University policies and have ended our attempts to engage in constructive dialogue.”
Similarly, New York City police restored the American flag after City College of New York protesters raised a Palestinian flag on campus.
Footage taken on the ground shows an officer tossing the flag aside before raising Old Glory on the flagpole.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams chastised schools for allowing the flag to be flown.
He said: “Those are our flag people, it may be okay for some people, but not for me.” My uncle died defending this country.
‘It is despicable that schools allow another country’s flag to fly in our country. So blame me for being proud to be an American. “We’re not going to give up our way of life.”