Auburn University’s president issued a statement Monday night following reports of “language that promotes or glorifies violence”.
Over the weekend, Indivisible Auburn held a community gathering and protest against ICE following the deadly shooting of a Minneapolis man and nurse, identified as Alex Pretti. Protesters held a sign that read “ICE murders”.
AL.com reported that during the protest, an individual in an orange hat and blue vest yelled, “All the Mexicans out! All the Mexicans out! Shoot them all!”
In an email Monday, the university’s president Christopher B. Roberts responded to the report to reaffirm the university’s “unwavering commitment to a campus environment grounded in respect, responsibility and care for one another.”
“Recent reports of language that promotes or glorifies violence run counter to the values expressed in the Auburn Creed and our Code of Conduct & Ethics,” Roberts said. “Auburn does not condone violence or threatening language in any form. Such behavior has no place at our university and undermines the sense of trust, respect and belonging that every member of our community deserves.”
Roberts said free exchange and expression of ideas are essential to the university’s mission, while also saying “speech or actions that endorse or incite violence may be evaluated through university processes and, when appropriate, by law enforcement.”
The university offered multiple ways to report incidents such as this, including 911 and notifying campus safety and security.
- Call 911 for emergencies or immediate threats. For non-emergencies, contact the City of Auburn’s Public Safety personnel at (334) 501-3100.
- Campus Safety and Security is available 24 hours a day for urgent concerns at (334-844-8888).
- Auburn University Threat Assessment Team, which evaluates and responds to concerning behaviors to help prevent harm.
- The Employee Assistance Program and Student Counseling & Psychological Services, for confidential support and guidance.
- Report a concern or incident online through Title IX or Student Conduct.