Students began voicing their disapproval of University policies in October in an effort to ban the purple-and-gold Confederate flag. The protests included a demonstration in front of Chancellor Sean O’Keefe’s office, meetings in the Quad and three gameday marches across campus.
Collins Phillips, president of the Student Equality Commission, organized marches that drew tailgaters’ attention across campus.
Phillips rallied students behind the slogan “Ban that flag,” which protesters yelled and covered many posters.
The first protest was before the LSU and Auburn game on Oct. 22. Students gathered at the African American Culture Center and marched across campus to Tiger Stadium.
There were subsequent protests on Oct. 24, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 including the Monday, Oct. 24 protest which began at the Union and ended outside O’Keefe’s office.
About 200 students congregated outside Thomas Boyd and demanded that O’Keefe address the students.
Later that week, O’Keefe, Phillips and former Student Government President Michelle Gieg held a press conference. O’Keefe announced he would not ban the purple-and-gold Confederate flag on campus, but he said he and the University did not support its use.
Students first protested after they held a discussion on campus to decide the best way to approach tailgaters flying the flag before football games.
SG proposed a program that would send students into tailgating areas to talk about the flag with tailgaters and then offer to give them another flag.
But according to an e-mail from Katrice Albert, vice provost for equity and diversity, no one used the flags that were intended to be swapped.
Phillips said he is proud of the students’ response after the protests who found other issues on campus to raise awareness about after football season ended.
“The future, I would say that it will be something that is more influential than a march,” Phillips said about what student action he thinks will take place next year. “The plan of action that we have for the fall is going to have the main goal to heighten awareness.”
Chris Odinet, SG president, said he is meeting with Phillips and members of the SEC to discuss next year’s activities.
Odinet said he is considering what role SG will play in spreading information regarding the protests in the fall.
Albert said in an e-mail that if students decide to hold protests again in the fall, the University’s top priority will be to ensure the safety on campus.
 
Contact Ginger Gibson at [email protected]