JACKSON, Miss. (TND) — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued a stern warning to anti-Israel protesters Thursday seeking to demonstrate in his state.
Such demonstrations have heated up on college campuses across the U.S. over the last two weeks. Police intervention has been requested at several schools where protesters ignored requests to cease efforts, including at the University of California, Los Angeles and Columbia University.
Gov. Reeves's warning came amid claims a protest calling for a "boycott" of Israel would be occurring on the University of Mississippi campus Thursday.
“I am aware of today’s scheduled protest on the campus of Ole Miss,” the governor shared via X. “Mississippi law enforcement is also aware. And they are prepared.”
Gov. Reeves continued, explaining protesters will be met with a police response if they decide to break the law.
“Campus police, City, County, and State assets are being deployed and coordinated,” the governor wrote. “We will offer a unified response with one mission: Peaceful protests are allowed and protected - no matter how outrageous those protesters views may seem to some of us. But unlawful behavior will not be tolerated. It will be dealt with accordingly.”
“Law and order will be maintained!” he concluded.READ MORE | Eric Adams warns of 'movement' to radicalize young people: 'Global problem'
Reacting to the warning was the X account of College Democrats of Missouri, which taunted the governor for being overly cautious.
“Of course the Mississippi government is deploying an army of police in response to students exercising their right to protest,” it said. “It’s like we’ve seen this before”
A few hours after his initial post, Gov. Reeves shared a video of people at Ole Miss singing The Star-Spangled Banner, noting the display "warms his heart."
A tense night of protesting on the University of California, Los Angeles campus resulted in pro-Palestine demonstrators allegedly attacking a group of Native American counter-protesters Tuesday. Video of the altercation shows several people in keffiyeh swarming a woman as she screams for help. One individual also appears to brandish a stick at her in the clip.
Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.
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