Pro-Palestinian demonstration ends in violent confrontation

Despite attempts to stop them, several men, including several university students, began pouring water on the chalk drawings while engaging in heated arguments with McGentry.

Meanwhile, a crowd was forming under the oak trees at the entrance to Toomer's Corner. Most spectators opposed the takeover, with some shouting obscenities and attempting to argue with McGentry.

“Hey, if you want to make a statement, draw with chalk,” McGentry said to the crowd.

“Where's my shotgun?” one onlooker said in response.

After all the writings were washed away, police officers escorted McGentry across the street, where he later resumed his demonstration outside Toomer's Drugs around 6:10 p.m. Several opposition members followed McGentry and shouted “Trump” as they crossed the street.

“Please don’t come back to our school. We don’t want you here,” one person shouted after McGentry crossed the street.

Soon after, the opposition began escalating the situation further by shouting at McGentry, now located outside Toomer's Drugs. One of the people – who was following McGentry across College Street – became angry and began threatening McGentry, confronting each other and forcing the other to strike.

At 6:26 p.m., an altercation broke out between McGentry and the unnamed man. The unnamed counter-protester initiated physical contact by pushing McGentry, who responded with a punch. The counter-protester then charged at McGentry, pinning him to the ground and striking him several times in the head. Bystanders pulled both McGentry and the other man away from each other before the man ran away. Police presence had decreased immediately following McGentry's removal from campus, but increased shortly after the altercation.

Damarius Nolan-Watts, 34, is part of the Toomer's Sit-In, a group of students, alumni and community members who hold weekly peaceful demonstrations in Toomer's Corner, usually sitting on the brick wall in front of the university. Toomer's sit-in is unrelated to the October 6 demonstration; However, participants identified McGentry as participating in some sit-ins with them.

“It's sad, but it's also a reminder of the unhappy, hateful community we live in and the deep hatred that unfortunately exists in the south, and the more I learned about these various issues, particularly Palestine, how “It's very political,” he said to Gabrielle Dunham, another participant in the Toomer's sit-in. “As is often the case, the counter-protesters shout 'Trump' or 'USA' at us, and that's all they shout at us.”

Several police and university security officials declined to comment or provide additional information about the demonstration because it was still ongoing.

Several students watching the demonstration expressed concern about the protest, calling it “hate speech” and “craziness.” Those students declined to provide any identifying information, instead yelling at McGentry and cheering as staff hosed down the chalk writing.

A student who earlier spit on the drawings during the demonstration said McGentry had “crossed the line” by yelling during his protest, which the student described as aggressive. Until McGentry was attacked after leaving the university entrance, his demonstration was completely peaceful.

Jennifer Adams, executive director of public affairs, wrote in an email on behalf of the university The Auburn Plainsman:
“Auburn University prohibits calls for violence against anyone, including ethnic, minority or religious groups. While Auburn recognizes and upholds its constitutional obligations, we unequivocally condemn vile speech that harms the university community.

The University's commitment to freedom of expression does not extend to vandalism. We will aggressively pursue any individual who violates University policies, and violators will be held accountable under these policies and procedures.

Auburn is a campus where we want everyone to feel welcome, valued, respected and engaged. Members of the Auburn community who may need assistance may contact the offices of Student counseling and psychological services or Auburn Cares and Student Conduct.

Auburn's Student Affairs Department offers students, faculty and staff multiple ways to report an incident, concern or complaint. The person reporting the incident may choose to remain anonymous.

The office of AA/EEO & Title IX The Office employs various policies to address prohibited conduct such as discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and the threat and/or use of physical violence against another person.”

According to the Auburnstudents4palestine Instagram account, a memorial service for victims of “Israeli aggression” is planned at Toomer's Corner on Monday, October 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.