UNC system approves policy on campus protests
The UNC Board of Governors approved a new policy Thursday for students who want to protest on any of its campuses.
They'll have to reserve space to protest, and they can't camp out. They can't interfere with classes. Any protester who gets in trouble at one state campus can be punished at their home campus.
Students hold pro-Palestine protests at UNC Charlotte
Some students at UNC Charlotte told Channel 9′s Ken Lemon it's a violation of free speech.
One student called the new rules dangerous and unconstitutional.
'I think that's a very bad look and approaching unconstitutional,' said student Harrison Hill.
Hill didn't protest but said unrestricted protests protects the voices of marginalized people.
'I think it's a very dangerous direction to be headed in,' Hill said.
Most students worry it will take away the strongest leverage they have to be heard.
However, others said the new policy is a welcome change.
Last year, campus protests across the state got contentious.
Rallies like the one in spring 2024 at UNC Charlotte won't happen if each campus adopts the new policy.
There were students sleeping on campus and marching to the chancellor's home.
Student Rachel Sellers didn't take part in the protests but still has concerns.
'It concerns me that there might be people who can say that you can't protest,' Sellers said.
Chad Brown is chairman of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners and parent of a freshman at UNC Chapel Hill.
He said last semester his daughter texted him that a protester ran into her classroom and several others.
'Can you imagine if something did break out. Someone's loved one got hurt?' Brown said.
He said the regulations will keep everyone safe.
The regulations are expected to be adopted on each campus by Aug. 1.
First Amendment regulations are often challenged in court so their may be some pushback.
VIDEO: Students hold pro-Palestine protests at UNC Charlotte
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Thousands descend on downtown Denver for "No Kings" rally
Saturday, thousands of people descended on downtown Denver to exercise their First Amendment right. It was Denver's "No Kings" rally. One in a series of nationwide protests where attendees voiced their opposition to the Trump administration and its policies. Hundreds of similar protests took place nationwide, scheduled for the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary and the president's birthday. It seems everyone had their own reason for showing up. "It's really important that we're keeping families together," said a woman who only wished to be identified as Jasmine. "I'm really concerned about women's rights," said a woman who only wished to be identified as Leslie. "Your people voted for you. It's time to serve your people," said an unidentified woman. But no matter what issue was on the top of their list, all demonstrators agreed on one thing. They don't like President Trump. "Trump is a felon. He's in office, and he said that he was going to go after criminals and deport the criminals, but in reality, he seems to be deporting a lot of innocent people," said Jasmine. "Donald Trump has to go," said Leslie. This is Leslie's second protest ever. She says she wasn't sure she was going to come at first. "I come from the sixties and seventies, and the sixties and seventies were violent times, so I was a little scared to come, but my friend here said 'come' so I did and I'm glad I did," she said. "The first one was nothing compared to this. This is huge." Jasmine says this isn't just about disliking President Trump, it's about loving where she's from, the United States of America. "We're all here. We're all trying to do something good for this country," she said. "I think it's amazing the sense of community that's here right now is really cool." She and the rest of Saturday's demonstrators say they hope this sends a message to Washington, D.C., and President Trump that the people of Denver want change. "I do not think he will listen to us, but I think it's necessary. He can't ignore it completely," said Leslie. The protests come just one week after protests against ICE broke out across the country, but those weren't connected to today's events. Nearly 2,000 "No Kings" speeches and marches were planned by volunteers through 50501, a movement that has held numerous national days of protest this year. The name stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. The White House's Rapid Response 47 account on X shared a video of the president responding to questions about Saturday's planned rallies. "I don't feel like a king," Trump said. "I have to go through hell to get stuff approved." He told reporters, "We're not a king, we're not a king at all." "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!" –President Donald J. Trump — The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 19, 2025 In February, the president caused a stir on social media when the official White House social media accounts posted a mock cover of Time Magazine depicting Trump wearing a crown along with the words "Long live the king."
Indianapolis Star
3 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
'Time to wake up': more than 4,000 Hoosiers protest Trump administration at Statehouse
The Indianapolis 'No Kings' protest in opposition to President Donald Trump drew more than 4,000 people from across the state to the Indiana Statehouse on June 14. Organized by the volunteer-led 50501 movement, the peaceful protest focused on Trump's policies surrounding immigration, the LGBTQ+ community, and deep cuts to federal spending by the Department of Government Efficiency. Many protesters criticized Trump's disregard for democratic processes, citing times when he's insulted judges and attempted to circumvent their orders. The rally in Indianapolis was one of more than 1,500 across the country and took place ahead of Trump's $40 million military parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th birthday. Protesters withstood a deluge of rain and humidity to hear speakers who ranged from veterans to state lawmakers. An organizer told IndyStar that they had counted 4,158 protesters with a clicker when protesters first started marching shortly after noon, but said many stayed behind on the lawn and were not counted. Organizers estimated there were an additional 2,000-3,000 attendees throughout the course of the event. Live coverage recap: Thousands attend rain-soaked Indianapolis 'No Kings' Anti-Trump protest Indianapolis police detained a protester just 20 minutes into the event when the protester ripped a pro-Trump flag from a counter-protester. The counter-protester chased the man, falling and scuffing his elbow and knee. IndyStar reporters did not see any other significant disputes during the three-hour event. Organizers encouraged protesters to remain peaceful, pointing to a bucket of whistles for protesters to use to alert others if they landed in a confrontation. More: Indy shows how protests 'can (and should be) done' during NBA Finals, police union president says Scott Johnson, state organizer for the 50501 movement, wore a shirt with the words 'unpaid protester,' a nod to the familiar claim that protesters are paid to attend political events. Johnson, 57, said he funded the event with his own money and that none of the attendees were paid. The Fishers resident attended his first protest in February, when he saw a 50501 organizer handing out snacks. He offered the organizer money for the snacks and quickly became connected with the movement, becoming the state organizer when the previous leader left. Johnson said it's one of the best things that's ever happened to him. 'It felt like I had found a home,' he said. A Vietnam war veteran. A first-generation American. A former Trump voter. IndyStar spoke with people who had a variety of reasons for attending the June 14 protest. One was safety and security volunteer Joe Stuteville, a 68-year-old Vietnam veteran and former military police officer from Indianapolis. He said he fears democracy is in danger. 'This has been sneaking up on us for years and people have been sleeping,' he said. 'Time to wake up.' Stuteville said he views the size of the military parade in Washington, D.C., as unnecessary. "Speaking as a veteran, we don't need military parades," he said. Instead, many veterans carry a sense of pride and honor within, he said. Another protester, Janet Orozco, held an anti-MAGA sign written in Spanish. 'As a first-(generation American), I want to represent those before me,' she told IndyStar through tears. 'It's personal for me.' Though protesters were united against Trump's actions, their political ideologies differed. Leland Lindahl, an independent, said he voted for Trump in 2020. 'As soon as January 6 hit, I immediately regretted it,' Lindahl said. The 47-year-old from Noblesville grew up in a conservative, Christian community and voted for Republicans throughout his life. His first time voting for a Democrat was in 2024. While he doesn't agree with everything some of the protesters believe, Lindahl said he came to the Statehouse because he didn't want to sit on his couch and complain — he wanted to take action. What was a smattering of rain throughout the event became a persistent downpour shortly before 2 p.m. The crowd remained, albeit reduced, with people seeking refuge under trees, umbrellas and ponchos. Annie Bowling, 46, was one of hundreds of protesters who withstood the weather. 'This is a testament to people in Indiana, one of the reddest states,' she said, holding a rain-soaked sign that had stained her hands red. 'That shows you that we will not be deterred by some weather because we know what's at stake.' Bowling drove to Indianapolis from Bloomington to attend both the protest and Indy Pride, which took place the same day, to, as she said, stand up for the LGBTQ community and other people at risk due to Trump's policies.
Axios
3 hours ago
- Axios
"No Kings" protest draws thousands to downtown Denver
Thousands flocked to downtown Denver on Saturday for the "No Kings" protest, timed to counter-program President Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in Washington, D.C. The big picture: The volume of people who participated resembled that of a Denver sport team's title celebration more than a political rally. Protests in cities across the U.S. collectively drew millions of people in what organizers called the largest single-day anti-Trump demonstration since the start of his second term. At one point, organizers in Denver said the march — which started at the Capitol before winding through the city center — stretched a mile long. Why it matters: It's likely the largest anti-Trump demonstration in Denver since his first term drew tens of thousands of people downtown for the 2017 Women's March. Zoom in: Marchers on Saturday were largely unified in their anti-Trump messaging, though at various points there were also anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian and anti-police chants ringing through the massive crowd. The Colorado Palestine Coalition led some of the marchers, organizers on the ground told Axios. State of play: The event took place after a Minnesota state lawmaker was fatally shot and another wounded early Saturday in what authorities called "targeted" attacks against sitting Democratic legislators. The attack prompted the Minnesota State Patrol to urge people not to attend local "No Kings" protests. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, in a statement said the Centennial State stands with Minnesota: "We must continue to reject the divisive politics and rhetoric that have become too prevalent in our country." Between the lines: Saturday's protest was peaceful. There were no clashes between police and marchers observed by Axios. Some demonstrators thanked officers who were blocking roads allowing demonstrators to march. What they're saying: "This is the moment, people, where we have to say, 'No, this is the red line — you are not a king,'" Denver resident Michelle Mottler, who arrived dressed as the Statue of Liberty, told us Saturday.
