Texas State Stands Against Demonstrators Displaying Offensive Signs

Another emotionally-charged election is over and while some are celebrating the win, others are fearing what's to come- and now, a Texas university campus demonstration isn't really helping to ease those fears.

The campus demonstration, which took place a day after the election on Wednesday, November 6, at Texas State University in San Marcos, prompted president Kelly Damphousse on Thursday to respond, immediately condemning it.

Here is some of the footage of the demonstration:

President Damphousse confirmed that the men holding the signs were not students. According to the student newspaper, The University Star, there were only two men holding the demonstration, and they have confirmed that the two were with the Official Street Preachers, a website that writes about current events “from a Christian perspective.”

President Damphousse wrote in part:

I am writing to address the incident that occurred on our San Marcos Campus on Wednesday. Shortly after noon, two men who were not TXST students, faculty, or staff came onto our campus, carrying signs that expressed homophobic and misogynistic messages. I will not glorify the men or amplify their disgusting messages by sharing them here. Suffice it to say, any reasonable person would be disturbed by their words. I know I was.

According to the University Star, the offensive demonstration led to a counter-protest of at least 100. No arrests were made, but President Damphousse confirmed that the university will be "exploring potential legal responses as we learn more."

As for how the men were even able to get on campus to demonstrate? According to Sandy Pantlik, vice president for marketing and communications, because Texas State is public property, the demonstrators had a right to be there even though they weren’t students, faculty or staff.

You can read President Damphousse's full statement here.