Students protested an event held by the Clemson University College Republicans Monday night with Alpha News reporter Liz Collin and Dr. JC Chaix, who joined the group virtually to discuss their documentary “The Fall of Minneapolis.”
“Many protestors joined to voice their displeasure with ‘The Fall of Minneapolis’ and our invited speakers. Ironically, most in attendance who disagreed did not even watch the documentary,” the Clemson College Republicans wrote in a post on social media.
Yesterday evening, the @ClemsonCRs hosted @lizcollin, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, a former Minneapolis news anchor, and the producer of “The Fall of Minneapolis.” We were also joined by special guest, Dr. JC Chaix, the writer and director of the documentary. Both went into… pic.twitter.com/PZtBENCjNg
— Clemson College Republicans 🐅 (@ClemsonCRs) February 13, 2024
The College Republicans thanked Collin and Chaix for their participation. “Even with several disruptions, they continued to tell the TRUTH.”
Jeanais Mitchell with the Clemson College Republicans told Alpha News that several disruptions took place during the event. “Two protesters standing in the back shouted their objections and stormed out the room. There were continual side comments throughout the presentation; very disrespectful to our club and our speakers,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell explained that near the end of the presentation, they had to ask the police to intervene because one protester began shouting and cutting off Collin and Chaix.
The protest was organized by the Clemson Young Democratic Socialists of America, who decried the showing of the documentary.
“Clemson needs to stand up for ALL students by taking a direct stance against the showing of Liz Collin’s disgraceful documentary,” said a post on social media from the Clemson Young Democratic Socialists of America.
The socialist group accused the university of “white supremacy” because it allowed a documentary screening to take place.
The Clemson Black Student Union also posted about the documentary, “debunking” claims made in it. “We have every right to feel anger when we are wronged and disrespected, and we are fully capable of making informed decisions and taking appropriate action in response to injustice,” a statement from the Black Student Union said.
Photos show protesters standing outside the event holding signs with slogans like “Black Lives Matter.” One sign said, “Liz Collin is not welcome here.”
Other protesters disrupted the event inside, according to the Clemson College Republicans. A video clip posted to X shows some protesters accusing Chaix of having “a lack of empathy.”
“Where have I displayed a lack of empathy, ma’am?” Chaix asked the protester.
“The entire documentary is so insensitive, don’t you understand that?” the woman replied. She was then asked by others in the audience if she’d even watched the documentary. “I don’t need to watch the documentary,” she responded.
“The Fall of Minneapolis” has been viewed over 7 million times on various platforms and has been featured on national and international news programs.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
