Ole Miss Heckler’s Fraternity Reacts After Racist Monkey Noises Video

After a viral video appeared to show a white student making monkey noises at a Black student during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) last week, a fraternity announced on Sunday that the heckler had been kicked out of its organization.

Students at Ole Miss had been protesting the ongoing Israel-Hamas war when demonstrations turned volatile after a counterprotester appeared to make monkey noises and gestures at a Black student, a video shared to X, formerly Twitter shows.

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In the viral video, the Black female student can be seen walking toward a group of white students as they appear to mock and film her.

While the counterprotester who was accused of making racist gestures has not been identified, the student’s fraternity confirmed in a statement on Sunday that he was removed from the organization.

“Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters is aware of the video regarding the student protest at the University of Mississippi,” the statement reads. “The racist actions in the video were those of an individual and are antithetical to the values of Phi Delta Theta and the Mississippi Alpha chapter. The responsible individual was removed from membership on Friday, May 3.”

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In a previous statement to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Ole Miss declined to comment on the video of the confrontation, but said, “Statements were made at the demonstration on our campus Thursday that were offensive and inappropriate. Any actions that violate university policy will be met with appropriate action.”

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