University Police to protect student’s rights
Recent threats against a protest regarding the handling of sexual assault cases on campus have prompted Texas A&M University Kingsville’s Police Department to investigate several online posts regarding possible retaliation against participants at the protest.
Threats have been posted on social media, most notably on the anonymous site Yik Yak, which allows users to connect with one another within a five-mile radius, according to the app. Posts on this site are anonymous, but some posts have been made making crude remarks about A&M-Kingsville women who are involved in the protest or who are speaking out against sexual assaults on campus. Others have issued warnings to participants alleging members of an athletic team on campus will retaliate against participants.
One recent post warns women attending the protest will have their pictures taken and athletes will allegedly “follow y’all to your dorms.”
“We have been made aware of [the threats] and they are investigating,” Patrol Sergeant Lonnie Brown said. “99.9 percent of all threats that come out of social media are nothing but people who hide behind the keyboard… but we have to plan for that one percent and that’s exactly what we are doing. So, whether it’s putting on more officers or bringing in other departments to help, it’ll be taken care of.”
The protest will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday and will continue until 1 p.m. The protest includes a march around the campus.
Freshman Animal Science and Vet Tech major Ximena Cantu came up with the idea to organize the sexual assault protest.
“We are not the only ones going through this,” she said, “there are other universities going through the same problem, but we are here now. We are going to heard, and we are not afraid.”
Cantu said she was aided by students in the Office of Student Activities to organize the protest.
UPD has a contingency plan in place that includes traffic control and having additional officers to help.
“You can’t disrupt a legal march,” Sgt. Brown said. “I don’t care who you are. Whether we agree with it or not… I will…protect their right to march. If someone is causing a disturbance, they will be removed from the premises. If they will not go willingly they will go arrested.”
At this moment UPD has no reason to involve the Kingsville Police Department but will call them for assistance if needed. A late afternoon phone call on Wednesday to Athletic Director Steve Roach’s office was not answered.
Follow The South Texan for updates during Thursday’s march.
