Updated Saturday May 6:

American University's first black female student government president will reportedly receive police protection after she and her sorority were the targets of a racist hate crime on campus. According to Mic, law enforcement officials were assigned to protect both Taylor Dumpson and her family as a result of the incident.

Teresa Flannery, American University's Vice President for Communication, updated the community in an email Friday morning (May 5). "Our community has been threatened on campus; it continues online," Flannery's email read. "American University will not allow any member of our community to be intimidated and we will not be discouraged. I hope you will stand with Taylor and me and continue to stand up for our values." Kelly Alexander, the school's director for public relations, also explained that the police presence will be an "extra precaution" to ensure Taylor's safety.

Previously:

Friday afternoon, students at American University in Washington, D.C., blocked the entrance to the school's Bender Arena garage in protest of the administration’s response to a hate crime on campus. Armed with a list of demands, they called for the attention of the school’s leaders, raising their joined voices to show that they would not back down until they were addressed.

On Monday, American University saw a milestone: their first black female student government president took office. But that same day, students were confronted with the sight of bananas hung from trees on campus with black ropes made to look like nooses. The bananas bore messages like “AKA Free,” likely referencing the traditionally black sorority student body president Taylor Dumpson is a member of, and “Harambe bait,” making clear their intention to target black students, especially.

According to campus paper The Eagle, Tuesday a town hall was held on campus, moderated by Taylor and attended by numerous students as well as president of the university, Neil Kerwin. However, the town hall was not enough to make all students feel as though their concerns were being addressed — or had been addressed in the past. A large group of students also marched to the registrar's office to request withdrawal forms as a means of protest.

Wednesday, the New York Times reported that the FBI was involved in helping AU investigate the hate crime. After tensions mounted throughout the week, students grew frustrated with what they saw as inaction on the part of the administration. And after coming together to form a list of initial demands for the administration, students came together to protest.