WSU officials call for unity after riot breaks out at University of Virginia

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Many students at WSU have called for a response from the university after WSU College Republican President James Allsup attended a rally turned riot in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Allsup was publicly identified in several photos by a Twitter account, Yes, You’re Racist, which has released identities of several Unite the Right attendees. Allsup said he was there as a member of the media and to speak at the event and condemned racism and Nazism.

This is James Allsup — speaker at the alt-right rally, Wash State U. College Republicans president, and one of @bakedalaska‘s racist homies pic.twitter.com/tjDqnHb7YP — Yes, You’re Racist (@YesYoureRacist) August 13, 2017

In a series of tweets, WSU President Kirk Schulz condemned Naziism and racism as well and asked the university to come together. Schulz did not acknowledge Allsup or the requests for his expulsion directly, but did make a note that a university is a place where controversial voices must be heard.

1/5 Washington State University faculty, staff, and students work hard to provide a welcoming environment for everyone on our 5 campuses. — Kirk H Schulz (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) August 14, 2017

2/5 We strongly denounce racism & Nazism of any kind & condemn the violence which occurred in Charlottesville. Hate has no place at WSU. — Kirk H Schulz (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) August 14, 2017

3/5 Universities are places where controversial voices must be heard – even those voices that many in our community disagree with. — Kirk H Schulz (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) August 14, 2017

4/5 We will continue university-wide conversations with the WSU community on how to best support everyone. There are no easy answers. — Kirk H Schulz (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) August 14, 2017

5/5 In a society which often divides us, I am asking Cougs to come together and offer solutions to providing the environment at that we seek — Kirk H Schulz (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) August 14, 2017

Allsup said in an interview before the tweets that he would be insulted if the university took the time to respond or condemn his participation in the Unite the Right Rally.

“The university should not be in the business of disavowing what their students do, what their tuition-paying students do in their professional careers,” Allsup said.

Allsup said most of the violence at the event was started by the counter protesters, who pepper sprayed a fellow alt-right media figure, Baked Alaska. He blames the police for the death and injuries caused by a car plowing into counter protesters, saying that they did not do a good enough job protecting the rally attendees and separating the two groups.

Allsup said the basis of the rally, as a protest of the removal of a confederate monument of General E Lee, was not a symbol of hate and the neo Nazi’s in attendance were not representative of the majority of people there.

“I think we should check our northern privilege and consider the alternate experiences of people of this country,” Allsup said.

Allsup added that he sees any action or response from the university as an affront to his free speech rights and singling him out as a member of the alternative media.

ASWSU President Jordan Frost and student body presidents at other universities posting a statement in solidarity with the University of Virginia.

Statement from Student Body Presidents across the United States in regards to the events in Charlottesville, Virgina pic.twitter.com/3sOCNlFzrS — Jordan Frost (@ASWSU_Pres) August 14, 2017

“We are united with the students of the University of Virginia, as what affects one of our campuses affects us all College Campuses are spaces that students should be able to call home, not places of violence, hate and racism.”

Other leaders at WSU and in the Pullman community also posted to social media and held candlelight vigils condemning the violence and racism on the University of Virginia campus.

Coming together includes a recognition of our history. We must look forward too. We must build our future together. It’s on us #GoCougs https://t.co/UeYHV2ghPr — Mary Jo Gonzales (@maryjogonzales) August 14, 2017

I think it’s pretty amazing you don’t understand that government institutions can’t discriminate based on views. https://t.co/h8OICOAOPm — James☝️Allsup (@realJamesAllsup) August 13, 2017

Again. These white supremacists in #Charlottesville are YOUNG REPUBLICAN leaders. They aren’t outsiders. They ARE the party. https://t.co/kVJyHrQwtd — Shaun King (@ShaunKing) August 13, 2017

actions that threaten the health and mental health of students who already face more barriers to attend and succeed shouldn’t be tolerated — Sequoia Dance (@sequoiadance) August 14, 2017

Not proud to be a Coug today. @WSU_Cougar_Pres Nazis at WSU deserve to be condemned for their actions. I refuse to “come together” w them. — hannah🎃 (@utter_hannah) August 14, 2017