Fraternity members at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are being forced to party after defending the American flag during campus unrest this spring semester.
A third-party GoFundMe page has raised more than $500,000 for college students who prevented the Chapel Hill campus flag from being dropped by anti-Israel protesters trying to replace it with a Palestinian flag, and has promised a “big bang” after country singer John Rich offered to hold a concert in their honor on Monday.
The concert is a massive spectacle featuring a slew of artists and bands, including Big & Rich, Aaron Lewis, John Ondrasik and Lee Greenwood, and is expected to draw more than 2,000 invited attendees from Chapel Hill on Monday.
“Someone raised these kids right.”
“First of all, I'm so impressed that someone taught them that under no circumstances should the American flag be on the ground,” Rich told Fox News Digital in May when asked about his impression of the photo. “Someone raised these kids right. They understand what's going on.”
Anti-Israel protesters rally at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's president's office, painting the building red
Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill raise the American flag during a protest on campus, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Anti-Israel agitators replaced the American flag with the Palestinian flag during the demonstration. (Parker Ali/Daily Tar Heel)
The flag incident occurred in May, when anti-Israel activists set up camp in the courtyard and initially succeeded in removing the American flag before University of North Carolina President Lee Roberts led police in replacing it. When the activists, some of whom were not affiliated with America's first public university, tried to take the flag down a second time, a group of fraternity members, including members of several sororities, intervened.
A student photographer captured the moment, which went viral on social media and became a national story as similar protests erupted on college campuses across the country.
University of North Carolina student who defended American flag from campus rioter: 'honored to give back to country'
Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill raise the American flag during a protest on campus, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Anti-Israel agitators replaced the American flag with the Palestinian flag during the demonstration. (Parker Ali/Daily Tar Heel)
“Today was a sad but uplifting day for Chapel Hill,” Guillermo Estrada, Class of 2027, wrote in a May 1 X post. “As I walked to class, I saw a Palestinian flag flying on the square flagpole of our building and was immediately outraged by the actions of these 'protesters.' I can't say I fully understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but I was outraged that my country's flag was disrespected in defense of another country.”
Estrada added that Chancellor Roberts and the officers who were the first to put the flag back were “yelled at, given the finger, and had bottles, rocks and water hurled at them.” Videos circulating on social media show students singing the national anthem and chanting “USA!” as the American flag was returned to the pole.
“We stood for an hour defending the flag that so many of us are fighting to protect.”
“Once the flag was raised again, the Greek community began singing the national anthem. Once the chancellor left, pandemonium erupted in the courtyard as protesters again began preparing to rip down and destroy the flag,” Estrada continued. “My fraternity mates and other members ran to try and hold the flag up so it wouldn't touch the ground. People started throwing water bottles, rocks and sticks at us and calling us foul language. We stood for an hour defending the flag that so many are fighting to protect.”
About 1,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied in the south building of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after police removed a “Gaza solidarity camp” early Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Travis Long/News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Estrada went on to explain that he comes from an immigrant family and “military community” where he has “seen firsthand the sacrifices they make.”
“I will not tolerate disrespect for these 'protests'”[e]“I want to defend our cause for other countries,” Estrada wrote. “My LDOC will be one that is memorable, but also one that will not be forgotten, knowing that my fraternity comrades and others fought to keep the flag flying. [sic] Knowing that many would like to downplay it.”
Fraternity brothers at UNC defended the reinstated American flag from campus rioters who replaced it with the Palestinian flag.
Protesters leave a trail of red handprints on the Chancellor's Building at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Earlier that same day, students vandalized the Chancellor's Building in protest of the war between Hamas and Israel. (Image direct from Fox News Digital)
Fraternities taking part in the American Flag Moment included Pi Kappa Phi, AEPi, Delta Upsilon, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Gamma Delta and Zeta Beta Tau, according to GoFundMe.
UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees votes to eliminate DEI programs and redirect funds to campus police following anti-Israel protests
“We shared that any funds remaining from the party will be donated to worthy causes and organizations that fit the theme of the fundraiser. Charities suggested by the student club include Back the Blue NC, Wounded Warrior Project, Children of Fallen Patriots and Zeta Beta Tau Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism. Honoring donors' wishes remains an important goal for Pints for Patriots,” a June update on the GoFundMe page reads. “We're looking forward to Labor Day and will have more updates and surprises in the coming weeks!”
The campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thursday, May 2, 2024. Students from Pi Kappa Phi fraternity are being praised after a photo was released showing them holding an American flag during an anti-Israel protest earlier this week. (Image direct from Fox News Digital)
of “Save the Horse, Ride the Cowboy” In May, the singer praised the “courage” of students who defied the wishes of protesters and raised the flag to stand up for their beliefs.
“When people, especially young people, have the courage and determination to proclaim their love of country and show respect for our flag, even when it's inconvenient or difficult to do so, I think they deserve to be recognized for that,” Rich said, “and I hope that by us recognizing them in this big way, we can ignite that same passion across the country.”
“Flagstock” will be streamed live online starting Monday at 7:30pm ET.
