NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) – Authorities say a Rutgers University professor was taken to a New York City hospital for a psychiatric evaluation after he was accused of threatening to kill white people.

But Kevin Allred says the comments he made in class and on Twitter were rhetorical political statements. He claims officials were trying to intimidate him for exercising his free speech rights.

New York police say they were contacted by Rutgers campus police about the alleged threats. Allred, who is white, was taken to the hospital Tuesday night and released later that evening.

Allred commented online about whether conservatives would care as much about gun rights if guns were used to kill more white people.

A Rutgers spokesman says campus police responded to a student’s complaint.

YES, my 2nd amendment tweet was incendiary but completely w/in free speech. ZERO direct threat involved. posed as a rhetorical question.— Donald Trump is a RACIST & my name is Kevin Allred (@KevinAllred) November 16, 2016