2015 University of Missouri Protests

Overview

The 2015 University of Missouri Protests refers demonstrations held against former University of Missouri (MU) system president Tim Wolfe for his response to several race-related incidents in late 2015. The protests were organized by the group Concerned Student 1950, which references the first year African American students were admitted to MU.

Background

On September 12th, 2015, the Missouri Students Association president Payton Head published a Facebook^[4] post claiming to have been called a "nigger" while walking through campus by several unidentified men driving by in a pickup truck (shown below).

On October 5th, the Legion of Black Collegians tweeted^[6] a letter claiming to have been called "niggers" while at a rehearsal at Traditions Plaza at MU. On October 10th, a protest formed by the group Concerned Student 1950 was held at the MU Homecoming Parade, where a car carrying Tim Wolfe was blocked by demonstrators. On October 21st, the Concerned Student 1950 group issued a list of eight demands, which included mandatory racial awareness training for faculty, an increase in black faculty and an apology from Wolfe in which he "must acknowledge his white privilege" before stepping down from office.^[7] On October 24th, a swastika drawn out of human feces was found in a bathroom at MU's Gateway Hall, which Residence Halls Association President Billy Donley described as "an act of hate."^[8] On November 2nd, MU student Jonathan Butler began a hunger strike until Wolfe was removed from office. On November 4th, a petition was created on Change.org^[3] to remove Tim Wolfe from office, which garnered upwards of 7,100 signatures in the next week.

Notable Developments

Demonstrations

In the coming days, several demonstrations against Wolfe were held on campus. On November 6th, Twitter user @Qiana_Jade uploaded footage of Wolfe addressing students about systematic oppression. After being asked what he thought it was, he replied "systematic oppression is because you don't believe that you have the equal opportunity for success" (shown below).

On Twitter

On November 7th, Twitter user 1Sherrils_2MIZZ^[9] tweeted an announcement that "athletes of color" on the MU football team would no longer participate in football activities until Wolfe's removal from office (shown below, left). On the following day, University of Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel tweeted "We are behind our players" along with the "ConcernedStudent1950" hashtag (shown below, right). Within 24 hours, the tweet gathered upwards of 15,000 retweets and 13,500 likes.^[1]

Wolfe's Resignation

On November 9th, Wolfe announced he was resigning from office amid the controversy. That day, a post about the resignation was submitted to the /r/news^[10] subreddit, where many debated the validity of the protester's demands. Within 24 hours, the post received upwards of 1,400 votes (87% upvoted) and 1,900 comments.

Melissa Click Altercation

Also on November 9th, YouTuber Mark Schierbecker uploaded footage of photojournalism student Tim Tai being harassed by protesters at MU's Carnahan Quad for taking photographs of a tent village (shown below). In the video, assistant professor Melissa Click from the MU Department of Communication is shown ordering the cameraman to leave, before requesting "muscle" to help remove the journalist.

On November 10th, the MU School of Journalism released a statement by Dean David Kurpius commending Tai for the way he handled himself during the protest and announcing they would be taking immediate action to review Click's "courtesy appointment" at the school. On November 11th, The New York Times^[11] reported that Click had resigned from her appointment at the School of Journalism.

Termination

On January 4th, 2016, upwards of 100 Republican House members and 18 Senate Majority caucus members signed letters calling for the firing of Click.^[5] The following day, the campus news site TheManeater reported that more than 100 faculty members from various institutions had signed a letter in support of Click. On January 25th, Click was formally charged with misdemeanor assault for her behavior during the altercation. On February 13th, the Columbia Missourian released a video showing Click screaming obscenities at police office during a protest against the school president (shown below).

On February 18th, Click appeared on the show CBS This Morning, in which she apologized for her actions but claimed she was trying to protect students (shown below). On February 25th, Click's employment at the university was terminated after a 4-2 vote passed in favor of her removal by the University of Missouri Board of Curators.

Terrorist Threat on Yik Yak

On November 11th, Fox News^[13] reported that 19-year-old student Hunter M. Park from Missouri’s University of Science and Technology (a school 100 miles from MU) had been arrested by university police on suspicion of posting an anonymous threat on Yik Yak. According to the article, posts had been submitted by anonymous users professing plans to "shoot every black person" as well as the copypasta phrase Some of you are alright. Don't go to campus tomorrow.

Search Interest

External References