A student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said he felt “honored to give back to my country” while defending the American flag on the Quad that protesters were trying to remove on Tuesday.
“Yesterday, my brother [Guillermo Estrada] And during the protest, I was photographed holding an American flag on the UNC-Chapel Hill quad. These images have since gone viral and been featured in media across the country,” Chapel Hill student Alex Jones said in a post to X on Wednesday. “Myself, my fraternity brothers, and others who defended the flag with us received many messages of support.” I am truly humbled by this. ”
Anti-Israel activists replaced the American flag, which had originally been flown at half-mast, on Tuesday morning. 4 Charlotte police officers killed While on duty Monday, UNC President Lee Roberts raised a Palestinian flag before returning the American flag with law enforcement officers.
When activists not affiliated with Chapel Hill tried to take down the flag again, a group of students, including fraternity brothers, intervened and prevented Old Glory from being slammed to the ground. Photos of the moment went viral on social media.
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UNC-Chapel Hill students hold American flags during a protest on campus, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. During the demonstration, anti-Israel agitators replaced the American flag with the Palestinian flag. (Parker Ali/Daily Tar Heel)
“For me, defending the flag was not about taking a position in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian debate,” Jones explained. “I recognize the pain and suffering experienced by both sides of the conflict. But my decision yesterday to defend the American flag is not about any other country. It is simply about the importance of our country and my It was about the values we believe in.”
He added that he believes in “free speech and the right to peaceful protest” and is “honored to give back to the country that has given me and my family countless opportunities.” .
“…I am honored to be able to give back to this country that has given me and my family countless opportunities.”
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UNC-Chapel Hill students hold American flags during a protest on campus, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. During the demonstration, anti-Israel agitators replaced the American flag with the Palestinian flag. (Parker Ali/Daily Tar Heel)
“I owe it to my parents and the hard work of this great country and am proud to be one of those who stood up for it yesterday. I am proud to be an American,” Jones wrote.
Since a photo of a student holding a flag received tens of thousands of likes this week, positive responses have come from politicians and celebrities alike, and the Chapel Hill chapter of Pi Kappa Sigma A GoFundMe created by a third party for the event has raised more than $400,000 “to throw away.” These brothers are the party they deserve. ”
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The fraternity told Fox News Digital that they are still evaluating whether they can access the funds because they did not set up the GoFundMe. In such cases, the fraternity will determine how best to use the funds.
The American flag is surrounded by a temporary fence at Polk Place at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on May 1, 2024. ((Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images))
Barricades were then erected around the flagpole.
Prime Minister Roberts said: Warar “As long as I’m premier, that flag is going to be there,” he said during a live broadcast of Tuesday’s protest, according to the Carolina Journal. First reported.
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“Tell our students that we will protect them from the few who try to destroy their experience. This university is for everyone,” he said.
Anti-Israel demonstrators replaced the American flag with the Palestinian flag during a demonstration on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Heather Deal/Daily Tar Heel)
The university said on Tuesday that about 30 protesters were detained for refusing to leave a campsite on the Quad despite being told by university administrators to clear the campsite by 6 a.m. It was confirmed.
At 6 a.m., UNC police “calmly approached the group and detained approximately 30 people who refused to leave. Meanwhile, protesters stood in front of a UNC police vehicle and attempted to disrupt it by throwing objects at officers.” “Polk Place was cleared.” UNC facilities then removed the large debris, the university said in a statement.
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“After the area was cleared, remaining protesters escalated their tactics, pushing officers and attempting to force entry into the South Building, as well as refusing to comply with requests from the facility and UNC Police.” continued.
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“Over the past several months, we have spoken regularly and respectfully with demonstrators on campus and consistently supported their right to gather and express their opinions. We have clearly communicated the university’s long-standing policies: “Students and community members can come together and make their voices heard, but they must abide by university policy,” Roberts and President Chris Clemens said in a statement. Stated.
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Chapel Hill’s school-wide alert system, Alert Carolina, issued a “severe” advisory Tuesday, notifying students that afternoon classes and non-essential activities were canceled.
FOX News’ Daniel Wallace contributed to this report.
