This week, people nationwide are rallying behind the students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who have organized to defend a prominent American flag on campus. The flag has become the focal point of pro-Palestinian student protests, and the community is showing its support for those who want to protect it.
According to a GoFundMe page, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to reward fraternity members who protected the flag, and it has already raised over $500,000 to recognize the students’ patriotism. In conversations with USA TODAY, fraternity members mentioned that they plan to utilize any funds they receive to contribute to charities that share their values, such as those supporting Israel.
On Tuesday, a group of pro-Palestinian student protesters took down the American flag and replaced it with a Palestinian flag. However, campus police swiftly intervened and restored the American flag to its rightful place. In a heartening display of unity, around 30 counter-protesters, including members of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, gathered to protect and stand guard over the flag for several hours. This act of solidarity showcased the strength and resilience of the community.
“We should be united in our political beliefs under that flag, regardless of our individual perspectives,” emphasized Brendan Rosenblum, a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi, in an interview with USA TODAY.
On Tuesday, there were several intense confrontations between student protesters and police on college campuses. At UNC, pro-Palestinian students allegedly hurled plastic water bottles at Rosenblum, while Trevor Lan, a freshman from Charlotte, North Carolina, witnessed police deploying pepper spray against the demonstrators.
According to a report from the Daily Tar Heel, six students at the Chapel Hill campus were arrested on Tuesday, leading to the cancellation of afternoon classes by the university administration.
Lan, a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi, stated that he took a stand to defend the American flag as it symbolizes the First Amendment.
Lan emphasized the importance of the protesters’ right to express themselves, stating that it is a legal right protected by the Constitution. He further explained that the American flag is closely associated with this right, and the group wanted to ensure that it was not removed again.
The organizer of the GoFundMe expressed their admiration for the fraternity brothers and encouraged online donors to support them in hosting an unforgettable party.
“The UNC Chapel Hill Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers, now grown men, have dedicated themselves to serving America, and it is time for them to receive the recognition they deserve,” stated John Noonan, the organizer of the GoFundMe campaign. Despite our attempt to reach out to Noonan for a comment, we did not receive a response.
As of Wednesday evening, the University is installing metal fences that are approximately eight feet tall around Polk Place, lining the sidewalks around the green space where the encampment was set up. pic.twitter.com/Sb7Y6TkOJ2
— The Daily Tar Heel (@dailytarheel) May 1, 2024
‘Jewish and Israeli causes’ could benefit from fundraiser
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Both Pi Kappa Phi’s national chapter and Alpha Epsilon Pi’s international chapter have expressed their intention to donate the funds from the GoFundMe campaign.
According to John Piece, the spokesperson for the international chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi, any funds received by the organization could be used to support Israel. However, he made it clear that his group did not endorse the creation of the GoFundMe campaign.
Pierce expressed great pride in our chapter at AEPi international and stated, “Any funds received by AEPi international will be directed towards our philanthropic efforts, specifically benefiting Jewish and Israeli causes.”
The National Council of Pi Kappa Phi, one of the two fraternities mentioned in the GoFundMe, stated online that the funds collected should be directed towards charitable causes once the UNC chapter receives them. Maureen Walker, the organization’s marketing officer, referred to this statement when asked for a comment.
According to the statement from the national chapter, we and our student members strongly believe that if we receive these funds, the best way to utilize them is by supporting charitable initiatives.
The national council has made it clear that they will not be accepting any funds allocated to the local fraternity and have not given their endorsement to the creation of the GoFundMe campaign. According to the national council, the demonstrations that occurred at UNC on Tuesday played a significant role in fostering campus discourse.
In a statement, Pi Kappa Phi emphasized that these members showcased their values in unity with their community. The fraternity acknowledges and upholds the right of its members to engage in civil and peaceful public discourse.
UNC frat members try to receive funds
Mitchell Meyer, a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi, mentioned that several fraternities at UNC have been in contact with the organizer of the GoFundMe campaign. They are currently working on determining how the funds will be distributed. However, as of Friday, the details regarding the allocation and timing of the funds remain unclear.
According to Meyer, a sophomore, all the fraternities are collaborating with them to find a solution that satisfies everyone involved.
According to Meyer, the GoFundMe organizer was not known to the members of UNC’s Greek life community prior to the events that took place this week.
Rosenblum and Lan expressed their intention to utilize any funds they receive for charitable causes. However, they clarified that they cannot speak on behalf of other fraternity members.
Lan expressed their utmost desire to utilize the funds in order to generate a meaningful and positive influence.
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