Christian Smith
(The hill) – Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he is sending Chick-fil-A to quell protesters against pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) on Saturday.
“I am so proud of the brave young people at @UNC who protected our flag and defended America against pro-Hamas protesters on their campus,” Graham he said in a post on the social platform X Saturday.
“The actions of these young people give me hope in the next generation’s love for our country,” Graham’s post continued. “Guys, as thanks for protecting Old Glory, @ChickfilA is on its way this morning, regards from Team Graham!”
Members of The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity stopped an American flag from touching the ground at a Tuesday protest on the UNC campus. Members could be seen in viral videos holding the flag while activists threw things at them, resulting in a GoFundMe for the fraternity brothers called “UNC Frat Bros defended their flag. Throw ’em a Rager,” which has raised more than $500,000.
Country music artist John Rich he said Thursday he is willing to play “rager” for the fraternity members.
“I reached out and said, ‘Boys, I’m so proud of you. When you guys have that big rage you’re talking about on GoFundMe, I’d like to come out and do a free show for you,’” Rich said on NewsNation’s “On Balance” with host Leland Vittert. “And they responded, and I think we’re going to try to make that happen.”
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who has expressed his disgust at the recent pro-Palestine protests, donated $10,000 to GoFundMe.
In recent weeks, protests have erupted on college campuses across the country, focusing on Palestinian human rights and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
The protests also faced accusations of anti-Semitism, which the protesters objected to.
“We are frustrated by media distractions focused on inflammatory individuals who do not represent us,” the leaders of the Columbia University protests said in a statement last month. “Our members were misidentified by a politically motivated mob.”
“We firmly reject any form of hatred or intolerance and remain vigilant against non-students who attempt to disrupt the solidarity being forged among students,” they continued. “Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, black and pro-Palestinian colleagues and colleagues who represent the full diversity of our country.”
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