MONKEY CHANTS AT UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

In this 2 May video, a group of hecklers from a fraternity at the University of Mississippi, known by the byname, ‘Ole Miss,’ jeered and made monkey noises at a Black woman in a group of about 30 students demonstrating in solidarity with Palestine. The mostly white counter-protesters, some donning outfits featuring the US flag’s red, white and blue stars and stripes, also reportedly chanted ‘Lizzo,’ the name of a rapper and singer, and chanted, ‘F*ck you, fat *ss.’

The student who made monkey noises has been removed from his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, according to its 5 May statement.

Republican Congressperson Mike Collins of Mississippi made headlines after he endorsed the counter-protesters on social media platform X, posting the video with the comment, ‘Ole Miss taking care of business.’

The Associated Press has tallied more than 2,400 arrests on 46 US university or college campuses since 17 April. However, nobody was arrested during the 2 May counter-demonstration at the University of Mississippi, where hecklers outnumbered Palestine supporters who were calling for an end to Israel’s 6-month bombardment and escalated siege of Gaza.

Video Credit: Stacey J. Spiehler