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UNC Frat Brothers Protect American Flag in Display of Patriotism; Bill Ackman Kicks in $10K
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a remarkable display of collegiate patriotism and solidarity, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill recently witnessed an event that captured national attention and sparked a significant fundraising effort. Amid a series of intense anti-Israel protests on campus, a group of fraternity brothers from Pi Kappa Phi made headlines by protecting the American flag from being replaced with a Palestinian flag, according to a report on Thursday in the New York Post. This act not only resonated with many across the nation but also led to a viral fundraising campaign to celebrate their actions.
Commie filth assaults Jewish student while UNC Frat Boys protect Old Glory. GOD bless our patriotic Frat Boys and all our Jewish brothers & sisters. This is good versus evil right before our eyes. pic.twitter.com/XwbtMs076z
— Allen Skillicorn ™ 🌵 🇺🇸 (@allenskillicorn) May 2, 2024
During a protest at UNC-Chapel Hill, tensions escalated as demonstrators attempted to pull down the American flag—a symbol of national identity—and replace it with the Palestinian flag. The information provided in the Post report indicated that this was part of a broader wave of demonstrations across U.S. college campuses, where students have been vocal about urging their universities to cease support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The protests at UNC were just one instance of the nationwide unrest.
As the situation intensified, members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity intervened. The demonstration quickly became intense, with protestors resorting to profane language, gestures, and even hurling debris toward the group defending the flag, the Post report detailed. Led by freshman Jason Calderon, the fraternity brothers took a stand to prevent the American flag from being lowered, a symbolic gesture that Calderon described as ensuring that “the headline of this day” would not be “An American flag falls at UNC.”
The Post reported that amid this chaos, Dan Stompel and his fraternity brothers stood firm, a decision that came to symbolize more than just a defense of physical fabric but a stand for the ideals it represented.
Dan Stompel recounted the events to Fox News, emphasizing the camaraderie and alertness that pervaded among the group during the protest. “If stuff was flying in, we would say, ‘Heads up.’ We would cover each other. We would look out for other people… It was a beautiful moment,” Stompel explained, as was noted in the Post report. His description paints a picture of a group bound by a collective duty to safeguard a symbol of their nation, illustrating a scene where each member was vigilant not only for their safety but for the safety of their peers.
Calderon expressed a profound connection to the historical sacrifices made for the freedoms and justice the American flag symbolizes. “So many Americans in history have fought for the ideals of justice and freedom that that flag represents, and who are we if we don’t take some water balloons and take some yelling and chaos to reap the benefits of what they’ve sown for American society,” Calderon noted, according to the Post report.
This moment of intervention quickly gained attention, highlighting the fraternity’s commitment to what they viewed as a defense of national symbols during a contentious protest.
The fraternity’s actions inspired a GoFundMe campaign aimed at throwing them “the party they deserve,” as a celebration of their patriotism, the Post report affirmed. The campaign quickly gained traction, raising an astonishing $400,000. Notably, the fundraiser attracted the support of prominent figures such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who contributed $10,000, as per the Post report. The description of the fundraiser praised the fraternity brothers as “glorious, Patriotic Americans who value good beer and great times,” calling attention to the festive and communal spirit intended for the event.
The overwhelming response to the fundraiser left the fraternity members touched and grateful. According to the organizers, the brothers were “overwhelmed” by the support from across the country, which validated their actions and reflected a widespread appreciation for their stand during the protest, as was explained in the Post report. The fraternity also noted that they had coordinated with other fraternities who participated in defending the flag, suggesting a broader coalition of support among the student body.
The confrontation culminated with the arrest of three dozen protesters by the police, shedding light on the severity of the clash. Despite the adversity faced, the fraternity brothers’ actions were celebrated by many who viewed their act as a testament to patriotic values and civic responsibility. According to the Post report, Stompel’s reflection that there is “nothing more patriotic, nothing more genuine, nothing more inspiring” than their deed echoes a sentiment shared by many bystanders and supporters.
The event and its aftermath have elicited a range of responses from the public and notable figures alike. The information in the Post report noted that Sean Spicer, a former press secretary for President Trump, commented on social media platform X, praising the students’ actions as a restoration of faith in American youth, particularly in contrast to what he described as “anti-Semitic spoiled brats on college campuses.” This sentiment reflects a broader discourse concerning the state of American universities and the values they instill—or fail to instill—in their students.
Following the incident, university officials took additional measures to prevent similar occurrences by erecting barricades around the flagpole, the Post report said.
The fundraising campaign for the students who defended the flag not only exceeded financial expectations, raising a substantial sum to throw a celebratory event, but also highlighted a community’s solidarity and support for their actions. The Post also reported that social media reactions ranged from excitement about the planned celebration—one user anticipated that the party would be “epic”—to humorous exclusions, with one comment noting, “Hamas is definitely not invited!”
