Appalachian State University (ASU) in North Carolina has banned political chalking in response to complaints by activists that pro-Donald Trump chalk marginalized racial minorities and illegal immigrants.

Until recently, ASU gave students wide discretion to freely express themselves by leaving chalk drawings on campus. But that situation began to change earlier in September, after several ASU students went out one night to scrawl pro-Trump messages in chalk around campus.

That chalking effort caused a moderate spat, as anti-Trump students followed the chalkers around and erased their messages almost as soon as they were drawn. One student even went on Facebook and vowed to run the “Nazis” responsible for the chalk off-campus.

In the aftermath of the chalking incident, the anti-Trump students complained to administrators and said the chalk amounted to the bullying of non-white students, due to the creation of messages like “Illegals are criminals.”

In response, administrators have sided completely with the anti-Trump students. Both the faculty senate and the school’s board of trustees have passed resolutions expressing support for “underrepresented” students at the school. Not only that, but the school has banned political chalk drawings to ensure no more Trump content appears on campus.

From now on, only “recognized student organization” may create chalk drawings, and the drawings may only be used to promote upcoming events by stating a specific time and location. Students caught violating the rules may be punished for creating unauthorized graffiti.

Ironically, ASU officials announced the chalk ban by saying it was made in the interests of protecting free speech.

“The adoption of these resolutions sends a strong signal from our top leadership that Appalachian values diversity of thought, belief and community, and is committed to fostering an environment that is supportive to all,” chancellor Sheri Everts said in an email to campus that was forwarded to The Daily Caller News Foundation.

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