Scenes of disruptive pro-Palestine protests have been circulating far and wide in recent days, but the reception to these demonstrations has varied greatly depending on the c0llege.
At the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, for example, anti-American protesters attempted to tear down the U.S. flag but were met by students who were eager to pitch in and protect the nation’s banner.
BREAKING: Protestors at UNC Chapel Hill have taken down the American flag and replaced it with the Palestinian one: pic.twitter.com/Hf33astp6M
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) April 30, 2024
One of the best photos of 2024 so far:
Fraternity brothers are pelted by anti-Israel protesters at UNC Chapel Hill while protecting the United States flag as it is re-hoisted following its removal by protesters.
Well done, gentleman. 🫡🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0DiBQcVLBu
— Max Meyer (@mualphaxi) May 1, 2024
Former President Donald Trump believes these students deserve the admiration of all patriotic Americans and his campaign used the story in a recent ad.
As The Hill reported:
The ad shows clips of pro-Palestinian students protesting across the country. It then shows photos and videos of students at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill who held up the American flag at their campus’ demonstration.
Members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity were seen in viral posts holding up an American flag while activists threw items at them. The incident occurred Tuesday, when pro-Palestinian supporters replaced the American flag with a Palestinian flag.
The scene resonated with people across the country, and a GoFundMe was set up to throw the fraternity “a Rager.” It’s raised over $500,000 so far, including a $10,000 donation from billionaire investor Bill Ackman.
Here’s some more social media coverage of the protesters and counter-protesters at UNC-Chapel Hill.
NEW: UNC Chapel Hill frat boy says he would have protected the American flag with his "dead body" from protesters.
One of the students who protected the flag at UNC, Dan Stompel, gave an interview with Fox News as their GoFundMe has surpassed $400,000.
Stompel said holding the… pic.twitter.com/AVHlTcMrX6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 2, 2024
Saving Old Glory 🇺🇸
Frat boys at UNC Chapel Hill surround American flag in protection as pro Palestine mob runs wild
A GoFundMe page for the fraternity house that defended the American flag during pro-Palestinian protests has raised over $160,000 in one day. pic.twitter.com/GZqiZZQIRa
— TheRealCherokeeOwl (@RealCherokeeOwl) May 2, 2024
Surprisingly, even the Biden White House paid lip service in support of the patriotic actions of these students.
According to the Washington Examiner:
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced a question during Friday’s briefing about President Joe Biden potentially donating to the group, even though the GoFundMe page stopped accepting donations on Thursday.
“There’s actually a real point in your question that I will address,” she responded. “I’ll just reiterate this. All Americans have the right to peacefully protest. It is not right to forcefully — forcefully take down the American flag to replace it with another flag. It is not right, and so I just wanted to make that clear, as well.”
The press secretary declined to say if the president was hoping to speak to the group.
“Look, protecting the American flag is admirable,” Jean-Pierre said. “I’ll leave it there.”
And here’s the Trump campaign ad in its entirety:
( @realDonaldTrump – Truth Social Post )
( Donald J. Trump – May 03, 2024, 7:21 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/a7Rfrn094t— Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) May 3, 2024
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