Rowan University Fends Off Hate Speech with Party-like Counterprotest
Republished from April 4, 2019
Rowan University was the site for a planned protest today as a radical Christian church staged a hate-filled tirade.
What began as an event for hate, quickly turned into a day of unity for Rowan University students. Counter protesters, armed with loud speakers, brought a festive-like atmosphere including dancing Kongo lines; a drastic departure from the invective being launched about 25 yards away.
Elijah Olumakin, a Rowan University Student, thought it was important to drown out the hate with a message of positivity.
“I felt as though, to negate the protest of individuals speaking to the mind, we had to speak to heart.. by playing music,” Olumakin said. “Whether you’re black, white, Spanish, Indian, whatever you are. Whether broke, poor, gay straight, non-binary, you love good music”
Pastor Aden Rusfeldt, the professional provocateur began the event sometime around 1 o’clock today. The Pastor raged against almost every group imaginable, hoping to incite a stir with his hate-filled speech. For at least part of the time, it worked, as counter protestors lined up to refute the Pastor’s message.
Rowan University officials moved the events to help deal with crowd control. Rowan and Glassboro police arrived to keep order during the hectic scene but many were displeased by the Rowan University response.
Connor Schmiegel, Vice President of the Rowan University Democrats, voices his opinion on the matter.
“Administration comes out and says ‘why don’t you have your own event back here’ we said ‘hey that’s a great idea,” Schemiegel said. “We come down here. They follow us… Instead of blocking them off, administration blocks us off first. Doesn’t seem like they’re protecting us. Seems like they’re protecting them.”
Rowan University contests these claims. President Dr. Ali Houshmand said in a school-wide e-mail, “Rowan is obligated as a public university to allow freedom of expression, but we do not endorse or condone hate speech in any form… Rowan is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the community and rejects the abhorrent sentiments expressed by the protesters.”
Student Government Association President Rbrey Singleton was encouraged by the response of the Rowan University student body.
“Our counter protest has been executed amazingly. This is how we respond to hate. We’ve turned our backs against hate and we’re having our own party of united, diverse students,” Singleton said. “I think the positive energy has made all the difference and I think this will be a unifier for our student body for years to come. I can’t remember a time where I’ve seen this many diverse people and so many cross-sections of our student body together and united for a common cause.”
